CONSERVATION OF THE WALL PAINTINGS IN VILLA IMPERIALE, PESARO

The collaboration between the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) and the Conservation Department of the Courtauld Institute of Art (University of London) has made it possible to begin the methodological and scientific process of conserving the wall paintings at the Villa Imperiale in Pesaro. The work is undertaken by professional conservator restorers and Masters students from the two Universities working under the conservators’ supervision. This important Sforza residence dates to the 15th century, but its current appearance dates from the following century, when it was enlarged by the architect Girolamo Genga from Urbino at the behest of the Della Rovere dukes. During this period, the rooms of the Sforza wing were also renovated and decorated with wall paintings by famous painters of the time, including the Dossi brothers, Raffaellino del Colle, Agnolo di Cosimo (known as Bronzino), Francesco Menzocchi, and Camilo Mantovano.
After a survey of the eight painted rooms, two rooms, the Sala del Giuramento and the Sala della Calunnia, were selected for study and treatment. The selection was based on their significance and value (including the extent of original surface preserved) and on their need for conservation. This paper presents the findings on the original technology, previous interventions, and state of conservation obtained through visual examination and scientific analysis. The situation is very complicated due to the heterogeneity of past interventions and on-going deterioration. The results presented are fundamental prerequisites for the development of a suitable treatment.