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Minnesota and North Dakota Chapter
Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums – Minnesota Chapter
Restoring History
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Bronze Crucifix by Pericle Fazzini
Artist: Pericle Fazzini
Dimensions: 120 x 93 x 31 cm
Total Cost: $14,850.00
Pericle Fazzini was born on May 4th, 1913 in Grottammare (Marche) where he became interested in sculpture at a very young age. In 1934, he exhibited his work in Paris with Despiau, Bonnard, De Segonzac and Cagli. Afterwards, he participated in all major national exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale, and the Quadrennial of Rome, presenting works such as the Portrait of Ungaretti and the Boy with Seagulls (1940-45 ). During this period, he demonstrated his unsurpassed expertise in working with wood. In the second half of the 20th century, during the spread of a renewed interest in cubism and abstract art in Italy, Fazzini fully developed his style. His work was created out of his amazing, instinctive nature.
This wonderful cross was completed by Pericle Fazzini in 1974, at the same time as his completion of the Resurrection of Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. Fazzini's depiction of the cross without Christ, offers his own very personal reflection. The Shroud alone is depicted, blown powerfully against the cross by a strong gust of wind; a small bird miraculously resists, perched atop the cross itself. It is thought that the bird might be a robin, which, according to legend, was the only bird, among the many still in the air when Christ was dying, to stop and remove a thorn from the head of Jesus. A drop of the blood of Christ dampens the feathers of the Robin's breast, and as a way to remember its act of love, Jesus transformed the robin's breast to be forever red. On the back of the cross an inscription reads: "Always, the wind blows and slams against your embedded cross, dominating time in this land. The wind makes to beat and stagger it like a coat hanger. "
STATE OF PRESERVATION:
The state of conservation is decent. The entire surface, however, is covered with an oily patina, a deposit of mixed dust and old varnish protectant. Some areas of the sculpture are affected by trace amounts of the products of the decomposition of metal alloy.
RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDES:
Removal of the protectant and of the products of decomposition of bronze
Washing and dehydration of the alloy
Dust suction and micro-dust suction
The Minnesota chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is an interfaith, non-for-profit organization concerned with the protection, restoration and preservation of human history as it is contained in the great repository of art and artifact in the collections of the Vatican museums.
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