In Assisi, Cimabue 13th-c. Fresco Restored to Splendor

After over a year’s work by skilled young fresco restoration experts in Assisi’s stunning Basilica di San Francesco, the late 13th-c. fresco Cimabue fresco la Maesta’ has returned to splendor:

The unveiling in mid-February took place in late morning after a two-hour presentation by head of the Basilica restoration team, Maestro Sergio Fusetti ((on the left in photo below) and esteemed art historian Professor Elvio Lunghi.

And where was the conference held? Appropriately in the vast conference space called “Sala Cimabue” (“the Cimabue Room”).

…and this was my first time in this ample auditorium hidden away UNDER the piazza spreading out in front of  the Basilica di San Francesco, la Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco.

After descending numerous flights of stairs under that piazza, one exits to a mozzafiato (“breath-taking”) view of Santa Maria degli Angeli spreading out below:

Turning around, I viewed the massive round arches holding up the Piazza Inferiore di San Francesco rising like sentinels and just below the Basilica bell tower, the rows of windows of the vast Sacro Convento – the Franciscan monastery –  spread out.

The first two rows of seats in the Sala Cimabue were reserved and Assisi mayor Stefania Proietti took her seat, as well as restorers and art historians…

Seats were reserved, too, for other civic authorities and the restorers who had worked for a year on the Cimabue fresco.

Three protagonists, the talented young restorers, Sara, Chiara and Lucia happily smiled for me for a photograph:.

The girls were backdropped by Padre Custode Marco Moroni, the Father Superior of the Assisi Franciscans.

Padre Custode was photographed as he recounted a Franciscan story.   Seated behind him,  Maestro Sergio Fusetti and Professor Elvio Lunghi listened attentively:

Padre Moroni cited a description of the Saint, written by Tommaso di Celano, companion of the Saint:  “He was small in stature, thin with a rounded head, a rather oval face, a low forehead, dark eyes, straight eyebrows, dark hair, thin black beard, straight and thin nose, straight and small ears, thin lips……”

Cimabue’s image of San Fracesco  –  which we would view together after this conference – seemed to me to fit that description:

Padre Moroni also read this description from another source: “His aspect was benign, his eyes full of simplicity. He was not handsome and yet he bewitched the crowds.”

As Padre Moroni recounted to us, one of the Saint’s companions, Masseo di Merignano  – “of pleasing physical aspect” – was mystified by the success of Francesco and asked the Saint, “If you are neither handsome, nor rich and not too intelligent, why do all come after you and not me?”

Looking heavenward, Francesco had replied, “God has not found anyone worse than me to show his omnipotence.”

With these words, Padre Moroni introduced the event celebrating the completed restoration of the Cimabue fresco, the Maesta’ di Assisi.

In a fascinating two-hour conference, Professor Lunghi brought the fresco alive for an attentive audience…..

…..and Maestro Fusetii presented the fascinating and insightful video on this challenging restoration project.

Here is a brief sampling of the extraordinary images captured in that video:

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At conclusion of the remarkable video-insight into fhe Cimabue fresco restoration project, many headed to the conference table to congratulate the  restoration team.

Television crews, too, filmed interviews of the restoration project protagonists as well as a brief interview with Professor Lungh.

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A smiling Maestro Sergio Fusetti, answered questions and received congratulations, flanked by his daughter, Chiara, one of the young restorers:

The fresco restoration team joined the Assisi mayor for a group photo….

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…….before we  all headed to the Basilica Inferiore di San Francesco to view the restored fresco “live.”

Heading up the nave towards the apse, che emozione…..

At the altar (built over the Tomb of St. Francis)….

….. one headed to the left transept – and there was the splendor:

 

Maestro Fusetti spoke briefly before the fresco…

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….the mayor and Padre Custode not far away…

Professore Lunghi, too, shared his reflections on the return to glory of the Cimabue fresco splendor:

Padre Custode thanked all for the restoration of the fresco  – depicting also San Francesco – do dear to the Franciscans.

 

Elated local assisani joined together in photographing the splendor, discussing the restoration….

And for me, one of the joys?  The freedom to take photos of the wonders!  In all my years of guiding in the Basilica, this was the only day where photography was permitted…..

One of mine had to include restorers Lucia, Chiara and Sara backdropped by the Maesta’ di Cimabue – the Madonna Enthrone returned to all her majesty.

 

Mille grazie to everyone participating in the restoration.

Welcome home, la Maesta’ di Cimabue.

 

See here the video of the extraordinary Cimabue fresco restoration project.

Read here about Tommaso di Celano.