Suor Plautilla Nelli’s ‘Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine, Sant’Agnese and Saint Dominique.’

3 January, 2024

To honor Plautilla Nelli’s legacy on her 500th anniversary, students from ‘Advanced Restoration,’ under the direction of head professor Dr. Roberta Lapucci of the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute of Florence, supported by various departments, embarked on restoring ‘Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine, Sant’Agnese and Saint Dominique.’

WHAT

Coinciding with the 500^th anniversary of Suor Plautilla Nelli’s birth, Florence’s first recognized female Renaissance artist (1524-1588), the following restoration was planned on a small panel painting of the ‘Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine, Sant’Agnese and Saint Dominique’. Research and restoration by ‘Advanced Restoration’ students under the direction of head professor Dr. Roberta Lapucci of the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute of Florence, and the ‘technical art’ scientific and chemical study campaign with the collaboration of Trisha Dalke (ex-LDM student in Art Conservation) (taking her master’s degree in Technical Art at the University of Amsterdam). Other LdM departments, such as Gender Studies, Jewelry Design, Fine Art, Graphics, and Communication, also participated in this project. Leading Nelli scholar Dr. Catherine Turrill Lupi made an important contribution with her research, uncovering new findings on the small panel’s paintings by Plautilla Nelli and her ‘Bottega’ that are coming to light.
WHEN

Start: January 2024
Completion and presentation of restoration and publication: June 2024
WHERE

The restoration was carried out at the Lorenzo de’Medici Institute in Florence, to communicate and enhance the body of Nelli works nationally and internationally with various events taking place in 2024, namely: conferences, exhibitions, and gala events in San Marco, and Palazzo Vecchio in Italy, Utrecht, the Netherlands, Milan, Italy, London England, Dublin, Ireland and the USA.
PROJECT INCLUDES:
- Art history research
- Diagnostic testing Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam
- Restoration of the painting
- Frame Conservation
- Photographic campaign
- Presentation of the final project of 3 ‘Advanced Restoration’ LdM students that went towards their degree
- Press Conference and presentation of the project
- National and international press campaign
- Presentation of the painting after restoration with its accompanying publication
- Inaugural events
INFO
- Artist: Suor Plautilla Nelli
- Technique: Oil painting on panel
- Subject: Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine, Sant’Agnese and Saint Dominique
- Size: 35.5 cm x 27.4 cm with frame 44 cm x 36 cm

Visible light – Before restoration

The painting before conservation treatment, showing oxidised varnish, surface grime, and chromatic alteration that obscure the original palette and compositional clarity.

Reverse of the panel

The reverse of the wooden panel, documenting the construction of the support, natural wood grain, and evidence of age, wear, and past handling.

Reverse – Framed, during restoration

The reverse of the painting during restoration, showing the panel secured within its frame and allowing assessment of structural condition and previous mounting solutions.

Detail – Cleaning process (1)

Detail captured during the cleaning phase, illustrating the gradual removal of aged varnish and surface deposits to reveal the original paint layer beneath.

Detail – Cleaning process (2)

Close-up during cleaning, highlighting the emergence of original pigments, refined modelling, and subtle chromatic transitions characteristic of Nelli’s hand.

Detail – Cleaning process (3)

Detail documenting the contrast between cleaned and uncleaned areas, demonstrating the impact of varnish removal on depth, luminosity, and surface articulation.

Detail – Cleaning process (4)

Microscopic view during treatment, revealing fine craquelure, brushwork, and the preserved integrity of the original paint layer.

Infrared reflectography (IR)

Infrared reflectography revealing underdrawing and preparatory elements beneath the painted surface, offering insight into the artist’s compositional planning and execution.

X-radiography (RX)

X-radiographic image exposing the internal structure of the panel, variations in paint density, and alterations not visible in reflected light.

Infrared false-colour (IRfc)

Infrared false-colour imaging used to distinguish original pigments from later retouching and restorations, aiding in the identification of material differences and alterations across the painted surface.