Naples, patrons sought for restoration of 15th-century masterpiece: Guido Mazzoni's Lamentation

In Naples , the restoration of the Lamentation over the Dead Christ in the church of Sant’Anna dei Lombardi, a Renaissance masterpiece by Guido Mazzoni (Modena, 1450 - 1518) in need of urgent work, is being promoted by the Friends of Naples association and will be carried out by the company Dafne Restauri. The work, datable to 1492, is one of the main works of the 15th century in the city, and its restoration was presented 20 days ago in the presence of Luigi La Rocca, MiC Director General of Archaeology Fine Arts and Landscape, Alberto Sifola President of Friends of Naples, Rita Falanga, of theArciconfraternita di Sant’Anna e San Carlo Borromeo dei Lombardi, Alessio Cuccaro, Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the City of Naples, Francesca Amirante, advisor to the Mayor of Naples for widespread heritage, and Mario Sicignano President of ParteNeapolis Cooperativa Sociale.

Friends of Naples is now asking for everyone’s help through the Adopt a Statue project, Friends of Naples’ appeal for the recovery of a unique sculptural work in the city of Naples: the cost per individual statue is 15 thousand euros, while overall, to finance the entire intervention, about 100 thousand euros will be needed, part of which has already been raised thanks to the first patrons including Banca di Credito Popolare, Fondazione Emiddio Mele, Orazio and Sveva de Bernardo and Rossopomodoro, all publicly thanked by Friends of Naples. More are needed, however, to raise the missing sum: those who want to know more can turn to the association’s website.

The Lamentation of St. Anne by Guido Mazzoni is a group of eight terracotta sculptures placed on the floor of the Oratory of the Holy Sacrament in the Chapel of the Lamentation. Currently, these works need urgent work to ensure their preservation and prevent further damage that could compromise the integrity of the work itself. The sculptures show several signs of degradation, with particular evidence of cracks that could lead to subsidence. Some of the main problems found include: cracks and cracks, dusting, abrasions, gaps and deficiencies of varying degrees. The sculptures are made of terracotta, a material subject to degradation over time and affected by previous restoration work and current environmental conditions. In addition, the location of the sculptures on a cementitious wrought screed and the proximity to the passage of subway trains can cause significant mechanical stresses, especially oscillations, that exceed the material’s strength, generating injuries and micro-fractures.

The Lamentation of Sant’

The Lamentation of Sant’Anna dei Lombardi

The Lamentation of Sant’Anna dei Lombardi

Consequently, it is necessary to proceed with the dismantling of the sculptures and their musealization using appropriate supports to ensure their stability and long-term preservation. Restoration interventions will be conducted with extreme care and respect for the original materials, using compatible methodologies and limiting the interventions themselves to a minimum.

It will begin with Photographic documentation: detailed photographic maps of all surfaces and individual phases of intervention will be made. We will then move on to protective operations: the statues will be protected through bandages with tissue and acrylic resins to prevent further damage. Silicone rubber and Geolite counterforms will be used, and the statues will be placed in shaped wooden crates to ensure safe handling during transport. Controlled diamond lace cutting will then be performed to separate the bases from the wrought. Next will be cleaning: the surfaces will be cleaned using various methodologies aimed at removing foreign deposits without damaging the original material. This will include the use of vacuum cleaners, brushes and biocide solutions. Then it will be the turn of consolidation: the surfaces will be consolidated by imbibition with consolidating products selected for their compatibility with the terracotta. The next stage is to repair gaps: small gaps will be repaired with mortar of the same material as the statues, previously pigmented to match the original color. Thenchromatic integration will take place: damaged areas will be chromatically reintegrated using tone or undertone glazes with stable and compatible natural pigmented colors. A 3D survey with laser instrumentation will then be performed to document details and patination of the statues and provide a basis for reproduction. Finally, attention will also be paid to the plinths, which will be made of steel plates calculated to ensure the stability of the statues and prevent damage caused by the swaying of the subway passage. The bases after 3D scanning will be made with ASI steel plates of calculated dimensions.

The Lamentation of St.

The Lamentation of Sant’

The Lamentation of Sant’Anna dei Lombardi

A system will then be designed to dampen the oscillations caused by the passage of the subway. These structures will allow a new location while respecting the historical sources. The intervention plan aims to preserve the statues of Guido Mazzoni’s Lamentation of St. Anne by guaranteeing their preservation over time and respecting their artistic and historical integrity.

“Art and culture,” says Friends of Naples, “are intrinsically linked to the development and well-being of society, which is why we believe that making ourselves available for the enhancement of heritage is a way to help build a better future.”

The project, drawn up in agreement with the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the City of Naples, which will oversee the work, will breathe new life into an undisputed masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture composed of seven life-size figures arranged around the Christ lying on the ground.

Naples, patrons sought for restoration of 15th-century masterpiece: Guido Mazzoni's Lamentation

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