Restoring Ognissanti Church
The San Salvatore di Ognissanti church in Florence, Italy, is the site of three restoration projects and was the site of a benefit concert on October 22, 2021, to fund work that will uplift and enlighten the church’s extraordinary cultural heritage. Jane Adams was behind the project’s development under the direction of Maria Pia Zaccheddu (Superintendent for Architectural, Landscape, Historical and Artistic Heritage) and with Fra Giuseppe Caro.
British residents Christian and Florence Levett made a generous donation to cover the restoration of the terracotta sculpture depicting the meeting of saints Francis and Dominic, embraced by an angel, located in the Alcantara Chapel. They have also supported the new lighting system for the church and the restoration of the painting of Saint Francis receiving the Stigmata.
The restoration was significant, given that this year marked the 800th anniversary of Saint Dominic’s death. Dating to the mid-16th century, the object was heavily damaged on one leg, and the surface had to be remodeled and retouched. Initially, the angel had a red robe to represent the flame of divine love, but after testing, it was clear that it had been repainted with different colors in the 18th century. Thus, there was no way to restore the original red. Work was performed on the external architecture, which involved digging a trench around the chapel to allow air to circulate and dry out the interior. The masonry and surface wood, with imitation marble and stucco gilding, were restored, as was the fresco on the left wall of the chapel, with much of the restoration undertaken by Fra Giuseppe Caro himself.
“Ognissanti is one of the oldest churches in Florence and is also the resting place of the muse for the Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Simona Vespucci one of the most famous paintings ever created,” remarked Christian Levett. “In historical terms, then, the work is not only of deep interest, but also necessary for the City in general.”
Funds from the benefit concert went towards the restoration of the oil-on-canvas Saint Francis Receives the Stigmata. The proceedings began with a presentation of the restored terracotta before soprano Sophie Gallagher delighted the audience with a performance. The Royal College of Music London graduate debuted with ‘Albert Herring’ at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and has given a solo recital at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace. Countertenor Tom Scott-Cowell joined her, also a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London and accompanying organist Sándor Károlyi. The concert program featured Gounod’s ‘Sanctus’, Pergolesi’s ‘Sancta Mater’, Mozart’s ‘Laudamus Te’ and Dvořák’s biblical songs ‘Gott erhöre mein Gebet’ and Herr! Nun sing’ ich Dir ein neues Lied’. After the last notes rang out, the audience was invited to view the Alcantara chapel to see the newly restored sculpture, followed by an aperitivo in the courtyard.
