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Piet Mondrian Masterpiece Restored at Peggy Guggenheim Collection

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-28

Piet Mondrian's artwork 'Composition No. 1 with Grey and Red 1938 / Composition with Red 1939' has undergone restoration following more than five years of research and is currently displayed at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice. This initiative, which began in 2021 and was funded by an anonymous benefactor, sought to undo a restoration performed in 1968. It is part of the exhibition 'Peggy Guggenheim in London. Birth of a Collector,' which will be open until October 19, 2026. The project, spearheaded by Luciano Pensabene Buemi, involved partnerships with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and several research institutions, employing innovative gel systems for cleaning and conducting non-invasive diagnostics with CNR ISPC and SCITEC. The original frame was recreated with the help of Opificio delle Pietre Dure.

Key facts

  • Restoration of Mondrian's 'Composition No. 1 with Grey and Red 1938 / Composition with Red 1939' completed after five years.
  • Project initiated in 2021 by Peggy Guggenheim Collection conservation department, funded by anonymous donor.
  • Work now on view in exhibition 'Peggy Guggenheim in London. Birth of a Collector' until October 19, 2026.
  • Restoration led by Luciano Pensabene Buemi, Head of Conservation and Technical Research.
  • Collaboration with Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, CNR ISPC, CNR SCITEC, IPERION HS, MOLAB, and GREENART project.
  • 1968 restoration had altered original appearance; new cleaning used gel systems from GREENART.
  • Mondrian's black lines found to be glossy, built from multiple paint and varnish layers.
  • Original subframe reconstructed with Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence.

Entities

Artists

  • Piet Mondrian

Institutions

  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection
  • Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
  • CNR ISPC
  • CNR SCITEC
  • IPERION HS
  • MOLAB
  • E-RIHS
  • GREENART
  • Centre Pompidou
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Tate Modern
  • Fondation Beyeler
  • Opificio delle Pietre Dure

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • New York
  • United States
  • Florence
  • London
  • Paris
  • Basel

Sources