http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...tened-by-Italian-gallerys-broken-air-con.html
Priceless paintings threatened by Italian gallery's broken air con
Cuts to Italy's culture budget are threatening to destroy a series of Renaissance paintings, after the Borghese Gallery's air conditioning system broke two months ago
The Deposition of Christ by Raphael is one of the works under threat at Galleria Borghese, Rome
The Deposition of Christ by Raphael is one of the works under threat at Galleria Borghese, Rome Photo: Alamy
By Josephine McKenna, Rome
4:07PM BST 11 May 2014
Comments1 Comment
Priceless masterpieces by Renaissance masters including Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio could be seriously damaged by excessive heat and humidity following the collapse of the air conditioning system at the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
The renowned gallery is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions with more than 500,000 visitors a year, but appears to be the latest casualty from dramatic cuts in arts funding.
Anna Coliva, gallery director, said the air conditioning had broken down two months ago and precious art works were now facing serious risk.
"We have been dealing with this emergency for two months," Ms Coliva said.
"The air conditioning system, built in 1997, is completely run down and damaged due to years of chronic lack of maintenance."
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Among the works under threat are The Deposition of Christ by Raphael, Titian's Sacred and Profane Love, and Madonna and Child with St. Anne by Caravaggio. Fine marble sculpture such as the gallery's signature statue of Paolina Borghese by Antonio Canova could also face damage.
Ms Coliva said the museum had problems with climate control for some time and had requested new air conditioning several years ago.
"Two years ago one of the motors had to be repaired but it wasn't fixed due to a lack of resources," the director said. " Now we are trying to resolve the emergency with action to control the atmosphere while we are waiting to replace the system."
In the meantime the museum is leaving the windows open, a move that Elisabetta Giani, expert from the Superior Institute for Conservation and Restoration (ISCR), warned would could cause further damage.
"You have to limit that as much as possible because of what comes inside," she said. "I am talking about chemical and biological pollutants which are not controlled."
Ms Giani said temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius or humidity above 50-55 per cent could deform or damage the art works and both had to be monitored constantly.
In 2012 several rooms were closed inside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence due to excessively high temperatures, while the Vatican Museums are currently installing a new air conditioning system in the Sistine Chapel after years of debate about the damage caused by 20,000 visitors a day.
The Borghese Gallery draws on the personal collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, and includes 20 rooms that span two floor
Priceless paintings threatened by Italian gallery's broken air con
Cuts to Italy's culture budget are threatening to destroy a series of Renaissance paintings, after the Borghese Gallery's air conditioning system broke two months ago
The Deposition of Christ by Raphael is one of the works under threat at Galleria Borghese, Rome
The Deposition of Christ by Raphael is one of the works under threat at Galleria Borghese, Rome Photo: Alamy
By Josephine McKenna, Rome
4:07PM BST 11 May 2014
Comments1 Comment
Priceless masterpieces by Renaissance masters including Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio could be seriously damaged by excessive heat and humidity following the collapse of the air conditioning system at the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
The renowned gallery is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions with more than 500,000 visitors a year, but appears to be the latest casualty from dramatic cuts in arts funding.
Anna Coliva, gallery director, said the air conditioning had broken down two months ago and precious art works were now facing serious risk.
"We have been dealing with this emergency for two months," Ms Coliva said.
"The air conditioning system, built in 1997, is completely run down and damaged due to years of chronic lack of maintenance."
Related Articles
Rome's best museums and galleries
26 Feb 2014
Rome in winter
19 Dec 2013
Rome in summer
16 May 2013
Caravaggio ' was killed by the Knights of Malta'
02 Apr 2012
The world's best cultural destinations
04 Jul 2011
Vatican's 'new Caravaggio'
19 Jul 2010
Among the works under threat are The Deposition of Christ by Raphael, Titian's Sacred and Profane Love, and Madonna and Child with St. Anne by Caravaggio. Fine marble sculpture such as the gallery's signature statue of Paolina Borghese by Antonio Canova could also face damage.
Ms Coliva said the museum had problems with climate control for some time and had requested new air conditioning several years ago.
"Two years ago one of the motors had to be repaired but it wasn't fixed due to a lack of resources," the director said. " Now we are trying to resolve the emergency with action to control the atmosphere while we are waiting to replace the system."
In the meantime the museum is leaving the windows open, a move that Elisabetta Giani, expert from the Superior Institute for Conservation and Restoration (ISCR), warned would could cause further damage.
"You have to limit that as much as possible because of what comes inside," she said. "I am talking about chemical and biological pollutants which are not controlled."
Ms Giani said temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius or humidity above 50-55 per cent could deform or damage the art works and both had to be monitored constantly.
In 2012 several rooms were closed inside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence due to excessively high temperatures, while the Vatican Museums are currently installing a new air conditioning system in the Sistine Chapel after years of debate about the damage caused by 20,000 visitors a day.
The Borghese Gallery draws on the personal collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, and includes 20 rooms that span two floor
