JAPANESE ARMOUR KON KEBIKI ODOSHI DO-MARU YOROI MUKASHI-GUSOKU Being restored thank to the Patrons from Massachusetts to the Texas Patrons - Dallas Chapter.

Inventory no. n. 206 vetr. b 8,1 Date: Second half of the XIX Century This wonderful Japanese armour is an excellent reproduction of an original armour from the XII – XIII century. Reproductions like this one are very rare and few examples of these armours exist in the world. Two of them (inv. No. 206-207) are located in the Vatican Museums and were donated to the Pope Pius XI (1922-1939) in 1925 for the Universal Exhibition. The value of these armours lies in their unique manufacture. In fact, their execution was carried out following ancient traditional Japanese techniques (3000-4000 years old) as shown by the high quality of the materials and the meticulous attention to the smallest details. The equipment is composed by eight different parts: helmet, neck saver, war mask, corset, armlet, cuisses, shin-guards, shoes, shoulder-plates.

Dimensions: cm 160 x 60 x 30 Materials: Steel, copper, brass, leather, bear fur, horn, wood, laquer, silk, silk, linen and hemp brocade.

Details of the restoration of a Bronze Bust by the California Patrons as a gift to His Eminence Cardinal Lajolo

Images from the Laboratorio Restauro Arazzi show work on the Sermon of Saint Paula in Athens Being restored thank to the Great Britain Ireland and Scotland Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums

Marine Landscape with Port and Castle (Inv. 44950) Oil on canvas painting depicting a classic 17th century landscape of the Neapolitan school. Being restored thanks to the Patrons from Texas.

Marine Landscape with Port and Castle

The Chapel of Pope Urban VIII by Simone Lagi Being restored thanks to the Brown Foundation from Texas. The ceiling and vault of the chapel have been completed, as well as the fresco by Pietro da Cortona. Restorers are currently working on the cleaning of the delicate gilded silver and leather wall coverings.

The Sistine Chapel at Saint Mary Major Restoration of the Sistine Chapel at Santa Maria Maggiore began on November 2005 thanks to the generosity of the Patrons of Califonia. An outside contractor was commissioned for the work as most of the restorers from the Painting Restoration Laboratory of the Vatican Museums have been assigned to the complex restoration of the Pauline Chapel in the Apostolic Palace containing Michelangelo’s last two frescoes. The restoration of the two small lateral chapels of Saint Jerome and Saint Lucia has recently been completed. The complexity of the decoration and the relation between the stucco work and the painted surfaces (gilding, and painting), have proved to be a more complex undertaking than originally estimated. The two chapels can now be admired in their original splendour.

The Pauline Chapel (Apostolic Palace) The great restoration of the century for the Vatican Museums, as it has been defined. Is most known to us for containing the last two frescoes painted by the grand master himself, Michelangelo Buonarroti. Restoration has been underway employing the time of nearly the entire Painting Restoration Laboratories staff along with some temporary contractors. Restoration officially began in January 2005. Restorers are currently involved in laser removal of the superficial carbonised surface found on the stucco work. The work on the frescoes has not yet begun as they are in the process of performing pigment analyses to match Michelangelo’s colors. The counter façade of the lower level as well as the decorated marble designs are nearly completed. Graphic documentation has been carried out in part on the vault of the large chapel. Still involved in the decision process whether or not to remove 18th century censures done on the stuccoes. Thanks to a collaborative effort from the Patrons from Arizona, Florida, Great Britain, Ireland, New York, and Texas, the chapel is coming back to life (Due to its location, we cannot publish any photos online while the restoration is in progress).

The Pauline Chapel