The first consolidation of the vault was directed by Carlo Maratta in the seventeenth century; later conservation interventions to protect and stabilize the ceiling were carried out in 1923, 1936, and 1994. Today, conservation is necessary to ensure that the paintings in the gallery do not deteriorate or become harmed by structural problems in the ceiling. (...)
The first consolidation of the vault was directed by Carlo Maratta in the seventeenth century; later conservation interventions to protect and stabilize the ceiling were carried out in 1923, 1936, and 1994. Today, conservation is necessary to ensure that the paintings in the gallery do not deteriorate or become harmed by structural problems in the ceiling. The campaign of 1994, realized under the direction of the French Service des Monuments historiques, assembled information on the condition of the vault that led to some proposed solutions to conservation issues, but it was not possible at the time to secure sufficient funding to carry out the proposed treatments.
World Monuments Fund is first undertaking diagnostic studies to determine the techniques, materials, pigments, and methodologies used originally in the construction and completion of the Carracci gallery in order to understand and choose the appropriate conservation treatments necessary. This analysis will result in a comprehensive conservation program for the ceiling, stucco, and decorative wall finishes in the Carracci gallery. WMF’s formal involvement with the project began in 2011. Conservation work will begin in January 2013.
