Restoration began in September, 2017 and was completed in January 2018 on this beautiful Realist work by Lorenzo Orengo.
Francesco Maina Memorial
Highly detailed relief sculpture of Teresa Maina, widow of Francesco Maina. Sculpted by Lorenzo Orengo in 1891.
A small and delicate memorial, the virtuoso carving is obscured by over 120 years of dirt and pollution.
With proper cleaning and restoration, the delicate beauty of this sculpture will come alive again.
Inscription on the Maina memorial
The beautifully carved calligraphy dedicates this memorial to Francesco Maina from his grieving widow, Teresa.
Applying a cleaning poultice
Art restorer Monica Piatti careful applies a poultice to draw the dirt out of the portrait of Francesco Maina,
Restored
The completed restoration. The virtuoso detailing has been revealed, and once again we can see it as the sculptor intended.Before this preservation work, the intricate details had been packed full of dirt and dust, and her facial expression distorted by staining.
