(ANSA) - PADUA, AUGUST 28 - The restoration of Giotto's frescoes in the arch of the Chapel of Santa Caterina in the Basilica of the Holy in Padua has brought back parts of original paintings that were never revealed before.
After the consolidation of the painted surface that appeared flaked and partially detached in several points, the first cleaning pieces were carried out, and the results - say the restorers - are surprising.
Some iridescent garments were highlighted, the extraordinary pink color of the complexions, the chiaroscuro turned and hands.
The delicate restoration, promoted by the Pontifical Delegation of the Basilica del Santo, in synergy with the Municipality of Padua and the Cariparo Foundation, preceded by a campaign of diagnostic investigations and the mapping of all the paintings, has thus reached a crucial phase. The careful intervention with a scalpel eliminated parts that had never been removed and that limited the reading of Giotto's original parts. All the gilding of the halos dates back to the restoration of 1923, but a trace of the original gilding has survived in the staff of the Cross held in the hand by one of the Saints portrayed by Giotto on the inside of the arch. Equally, the freehand drawings of some of the crowns placed on the heads of the saints are now clearly legible. (HANDLE).