Restoration of “Resurrezione” by Pericle Fazzini

This intervention of conservative restoration was preceded by a first stage of documentation and diagnostics. This preliminary analysis was carried out in two phases: first, the visual material analysis which constituted the essential instrument for a first attestation of the state of conservation of the work; second, a scientific analysis carried out with digital technical instrumentation. This allowed to create a database of scientific data useful for the appropriate identification of the degradation factors and for the following planning of the operational intervention on the work.

The diagnostic analysis of the state of conservation of the sculpture “La Resurrezione” by Fazzini was performed with the cooperation of the Faculty of Architecture “Luigi Vanvitelli” of the Second University of Naples, the Centre of Expertise Benecon at the Second University of Naples, and the instrumental collaboration of Topcon Italia.

The work was showing on the external part surface deposits consisting in grease, dust, and atmospheric particulate matter, which were compromising the correct reading of the sculptural complex. Moreover, the sculpture showed a pervasive phenomenon of oxidation, which is typical of copper and its compounds, due especially to thermohygrometric variations which may be caused by the influx of thousands of persons in the event of general audiences.

The methodology of intervention, carefully designed together with the restoration workshops of the Vatican Museum, responded to precise technical and aesthetic demands. The intervention of restoration, performed in scheduled stages of processing, allowed for the removal of surface deposits which were compromising the original reading of the patina wanted by Pericle Fazzini. The intervention aimed at respecting the traces of fusion sand as integral parts of the work and at giving back the sculpture its original brilliance.