CEI restores artworks in Assisi

The Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) is funding the restoration of several Franciscan artworks in Assisi to preserve the region's artistic heritage. These projects coincide with the feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy.

At the Sacro Convento di San Francesco, Sergio Fusetti will lead the restoration of a 1753 painting by Andrea Benedetto Fornioni titled “Estasi di san Giuseppe da Copertino.” The work, which depicts the levitation of the “Santo dei voli” before the Madonna della Concezione, currently suffers from poor conservation that makes it difficult to view clearly. The restoration process includes cleaning, consolidation, lining, and pictorial reintegration.

The CEI is also supporting the restoration of three pieces at the Museo della Porziuncola in Santa Maria degli Angeli for use in the exhibition “San Francesco alla Porziuncola, la parabola del volto di San Francesco d’Assisi.” This includes the paintings “San Francesco in meditazione” and “San Francesco adora il crocifisso,” as well as a painted paper print of “L’albero serafico.” For the paintings, workers will perform cleaning, filling, reintegration, and frame maintenance. The print restoration involves removing plexiglass and repairing areas damaged by insects.