Faith and Healing

Archangel Raphael and Tobias by G. Baratta, 1698

Basilica di Santo Spirito, Florence, Italy

Bas-relief in marble and stucco

Restored by the MMG Foundation 2020

Inspiration

Following the flurry of activity during the first three years of the Mircea Maria Gerard Foundation, we found ourselves at a moment of reflection.

Were we “over it”? Had the trauma of Mircea’s sudden, devastating death finally passed? Was it time to simply “just move on”, content in the knowledge that we had successfully completed a fitting tribute to him? The truth is, the initial shock and stifling sadness had become part of us. But life continued — and in working together, guided by a deeply personal inspiration, we had found both comfort and renewal. Gradually it became clear: what we had been doing until then was a form of extended mourning, a way of transforming grief into purpose.

And so, we chose not to just get over it, but to deepen our commitment: to support emerging talent and to seek out a project that would focus on faith and healing — a project that would honor how those before us found strength through trust, guidance, and community. Little did we know in late 2019 that these themes of faith and healing would very soon become profound. During 2020, millions of people around the world would die from the COVID-19 virus or become very ill, some chronically. The world needed faith and healing at this time more than ever. And so we decided, despite the challenging lockdown environment in Florence, to continue with the restoration project.

Motivation and Proposal

After securing the budget through the Foundations supporters and donors, in late 2019 shortly after the Nativity restoration, we welcomed proposals from the individual members of the Association Bastioni for a conservation work that would reflect the ideas of comradery, faith and healing. Amongst over 15 truly moving and important possible projects suggested by individual members, we agreed upon one. The chosen work was a stucco and marble bas-relief in the main nave of the beautiful Basilica di Santo Spirito: The Archangel Raphael and Tobias by Baratta — a sculptural group depicting Tobias’ healing journey under the guidance of the Archangel. The theme spoke powerfully to the personal bond for the head conservator, Chiara Piani, and the memory of Mircea. Like restoration, faith often involves unseen guidance, trust, and companionship. As Chiara explains:

“Beyond Arno (on the right bank of the river), stands one of Florence’s most striking buildings of worship, the Basilica of Santo Spirito, located in the square of the same name. Since I was a little girl the square represented the ‘night’ meeting place par excellence, later my attention shifted to the inside of the Basilica in the search for peace and comfort in the darkest moments. The church is one a major attraction for tourists who visit Florence while still remaining a place of daily life and worship for Florentines. Over the years, I have admired the many restorations of the extraordinary works of art in the church dreaming that I would be able to realize my own project. The great altarpiece with the Archangel Raffaele and Tobiolo, remains perhaps the second last major artwork still to be restored today. Padre Giuseppe, the reverend father in charge of this church, during our interview expressed, echoing the whole community, the desire to be able to see this work restored, not only for its artistic value but for the meaning it transmits. In the biblical tradition Raphael means “god’s medicine” or “God heals”.” Raffaele shows himself as a faithful and shrewd companion, a guide during the journey, intervenes when his action proves necessary, cancels out when his presence would be indiscreet.“

Outcomes

Due to the COVID pandemic the restoration of the Archangel Raffaele e Tobiolo in the main nave of the Basilica of Santo Spirito was only able to commence in December 2020 and was finished in March 2021. The stucco and marble sculpture offered unique challenges due to its sheer size and height, measuring 15 by 4 square metres.

As the lead conservator, Chiara Piani explained “When we put up the scaffolding, we realized that the sculpture had actually been painted over, so we were obliged to change our approach with a highly selective cleaning. We reconstructed certain parts and consolidated others,”

In addition, the church remained closed to the public through early 2021 as Italy maintained its lockdown in order to contain the virus. And so the three conservators were left alone all day, every day to undertake the restoration in a deserted city in a massive building devoid of any people. The opportunity which we were all looking forward to in welcoming tourists and congregants to explore the scaffolding during the restoration process and telling visitors about the site and about Mircea, unfortunately had to wait.

Video documentation

Documentation

An Unpublished Giambologna. An Opportunity for Active Protection. Celani et al. 2021.

Printed 2023 in Protection & Restoration 2021 – Newsletter of the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the metropolitan city of Florence and the provinces of Pistoia and Prato

Un Giambologna inedito. Occasione per una tutela attiva. Celani et al, 2021.
Original Italian version

Selected Press Coverage

The Florentine Magazine