John of Rimini's Last Judgment to be restored: memorandum of understanding between municipality and diocese

With the official signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Mayor of Rimini Jamil Sadegholvaad and Bishop Nicolò Anselmi, the process of enhancing the value of one of the most important masterpieces of Rimini’s artistic heritage, the Last Judgment by Giovanni da Rimini, officially begins. The work, owned by the Diocese of Rimini, will in fact undergo restoration work aimed not only at its long-term preservation, but also at rediscovering its historical, artistic and religious value. The project will involve the city through educational and participatory initiatives.

The fresco, originally located in the Church of St. Augustine, was torn out and mounted on canvas in the early 20th century for conservation reasons. Currently, it is on display at the Museum of the City of Rimini as the centerpiece of the new exhibition layout of the Via Tonini complex. Initial surveys carried out on the14th-century work during the museum’s refurbishment revealed the need for long-term conservation of the tympanum due to structural fragilities related to the passage of time and the restorations carried out between 1916 and 1926 by Giovanni Nave.

A shared plan for restoration

The protocol signed between the Municipality and the Diocese includes a series of operational actions for the restoration of the tympanum, including the analysis of the work’s state of conservation, the identification of specialized laboratories, and the collection of estimates and technical proposals from qualified restorers. All methods and actions will be evaluated in consultation with the relevant Superintendency, which will assess the scientific quality and sustainability of restoration proposals.

In parallel, fundraising strategies will be activated to cover the costs of restoration and enhancement of the work. Once the restoration project is defined, a second agreement between the municipality and the Diocese will follow to establish the operational details and financing plan. Initiatives will also be shared with the Superintendence to be put in place to share with the city the phases of the recovery, documenting them, and building dedicated educational and popular activities.

The restoration of the Last Judgment is part of a broader program that the Municipal Administration in synergy with the Superintendency and other relevant parties intends to put in place in the coming months for the recovery and enhancement of the city’s historical cultural heritage and that will include also the conservative restoration of the Surgeon’s Domus, the redevelopment and illumination of the Tiberius Bridge, while in the coming weeks the path for the valorization of Giovanni Bellini’s Pietà, another masterpiece of Rimini’s museum heritage, will be started.

“Today we make official a mutual commitment that we have made to enhance one of the most well-known and valuable works of art that Rimini is fortunate to hold,” Mayor Jamil Sadegholvaad stressed. “The synergy between realities, in this case with the Diocese, is important to continue on the path of recovery and promotion of our cultural heritage.”
“The artistic and cultural dimension of Rimini deserves to be increasingly promoted and made known,” added Bishop Nicolò Anselmi. “The collaboration with the Municipal Administration allows us to carry out an intervention that will give the possibility to make the work usable in the fullness of its beauty to the people of Rimini and visitors.”

John of Rimini's Last Judgment to be restored: memorandum of understanding between municipality and diocese

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