Bulgari restores Saint Jerome in the Desert and Saint Agatha Visited in Prison by Saint Peter
Italian jeweler Bulgari is expressing the importance of art in the luxury spectrum by restoring two important pieces of history.
In support of the jeweler’s mission to preserve importance pieces of Italian art and history, Bulgari has partnered with Venetian Heritage for its latest project. The LVMH-owned jeweler has commissioned the latter to restore two paintings from 1566.
“Bulgari’s partnership with the Venetian Heritage project is one of the many patronage projects that the Maison has been involved in over the years, aiming to return Italy’s archeological and artistic treasures to their former splendor as part of the world cultural heritage,” said Lucia Boscaini, brand and heritage curator at Bulgari, Rome.
“Bulgari enthusiastically adhered to the call to action of Venetian Heritage to preserve two masterpieces of one of the Masters of Renaissance, celebrated for his distinctive theatrical effects and dazzling use of color," she said.
“Italian Art and beauty have always been a source of inspiration for the maison and we are very proud that thanks to Bulgari’s contribution Italy and United States audience will soon enjoy these two universal masterpieces."
Art and luxury
Originally in depreciated conditions, Bulgari and Venetian Heritage have restored two paintings from the Saint Peter Martyr church in Murano, Italy at the Gallerie dell’Accademia.
Created by Paolo Veronese, the paintings “Saint Jerome in the Desert” and “Saint Agatha Visited in Prison by Saint Peter” will be displayed to a wider audience through two exhibits.
Saint Jerome in the Desert
The Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice, Italy will first feature the two paintings in an exhibit starting May 11 and be named “Murano Paintings by Paolo Veronese Restored by Venetian Heritage with the Support of Bulgari.”
Texts written by Toto Bergamo Rossi, Claudia Caramanna, Dino Chinellato, Maichol Clemente, Maria Grazia Fumo, Claudia Vittori e Stefano Volpin will be featured with the artwork, as well as photographs of the paintings.
New York will host the second exhibit, titled “Veronese in Murano: Two Venetian Renaissance Masterpieces Restored.” The second exhibit will begin Oct. 24 at The Frick Collection.
Commissioned by an abbot of the church of Saint Mary of the Angels in Murano, Francesco degli Alberi, the paintings were located in a chapel next to the church. Eventually, the artworks were relocated to the church when the chapel was torn down, but over time became diminished.
Saint Agatha Visited in Prison by Saint Peter
Varnish, which had been applied excessively over the years, had darkened the paintings. But, the restoration has brought the vibrant colors back to the artwork.
Restoration projects
Bulgari previously cemented its ties to Italian fashion by presenting an exhibit at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
“Bellissima: Italy and High Fashion 1945-1968” took a look at the post World War II period in the country’s fashion scene, as designers including Emilio Pucci and Valentino Garavani helped to shape Italy’s image around the world. In addition to being a key partner in the exhibit, a number of one-of-a-kind jewels from the Bulgari Heritage Collections will be on display (see more).
Bulgari also recently exuded the ultimate expression of dolce vita glamour with the unveiling of the restored Spanish Steps in Rome.
In 2014, as Bulgari celebrated its 130th anniversary, the jeweler pledged approximately $2 million for the restoration of the Spanish Steps over a two-year period. The project began in 2015, and worked to restore the iconic Italian landmark to its former glory after Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi asked private investors to aid in maintaining monuments throughout the country (see story).
“As a jeweler Bulgari aims to design jewelry creations that are meant to last, transmitted over generations,” Bulgari's Ms. Boscaini said. “With the Venetian Heritage restoration project, Bulgari contributed to eternize two masterpieces for the benefit of the future generations and there is nothing better than having the brand associated with such a prestigious achievement.”