Bevagna, presented the restoration of the important Immaculate Conception by Andrea Camassei

The result of the restoration of theImmaculate Conception, with the Eternal among Angels and Saints, a work by Andrea Camassei (Bevagna, 1602 - Rome, 1649) preserved at the Museo Civico di Bevagna (Perugia), was unveiled to the public yesterday via streaming. As soon as the museum can reopen its doors, the work can be admired by all citizens and visitors in its new location in Palazzo Lepri.

Andrea Camassei painted theImmaculate Conception in oil on canvas in the first half of the 17th century, but over the centuries there have been numerous and very invasive interventions on the painting. The restoration was therefore aimed at restoring the work to its original appearance and original size (because it was also changed in size). Several hypotheses arose in the course of the restoration also regarding the first placement of the work. As the restorer in charge of the operation, Lorella Giovannelli, recalled, it is above all the figure of St. Andrew that arouses the greatest curiosity: the saint is the only one looking toward the public with a proud gaze and a white beard, and the hypothesis is that it is a self-portrait of Andrea Camassei, who was born on the very day dedicated to the saint of the same name.

The work, owned by the municipality as attested by archive documents, was kept for decades at the Church of the Monastery of Santa Margherita in Bevagna. In 2018, thanks to the intervention of the municipal administration of the Umbrian municipality and a contribution from the Region of Umbria, it was possible to begin the recovery of the work; between 2019 and 2020, the restoration of the painting and its placement in the Sala del camino of the Pinacoteca Comunale was carried out, going to enrich the permanent collection. Here visitors will finally be able to see it as soon as the Museo Civico di Bevagna can also reopen its doors.

During the presentation of the restoration, the public in the room was absent due to restrictions imposed by the health emergency: as a result, the ceremony, held in the presence of the authorities, was broadcast live on Facebook. Present were mayor Annarita Falsacappa, deputy mayor and culture councillor Rita Galardini (who introduced the presentation), professor Roberto Segatori of the Bevagna Academy, restorer Lorella Giovannelli (who went into detail about the work done: In the original plan, the restoration was supposed to take place under the eyes of museum visitors, schools, and Bevagna residents, but the’outbreak of the pandemic unfortunately prevented the realization of the open worksite at Palazzo Lepri), Giovanna Giubbini of the Soprintendenza archivistica e bibliografica dell’Umbria, Giovanni Luca Delogu for the Soprintendenz Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio dell’Umbria, Valeria Poggi for the Regione Sezione Musei, and Francescamaria Battazzi, president of the Sistema Museo company that manages the Bevagna museum services.

Bevagna, presented the restoration of the important Immaculate Conception by Andrea Camassei

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