The Invention of the Liberal and Mechanical Arts, 16th century, Museo del tesoro del Duomo di Modena

The completion of this tapestry’s restoration provided the opportunity for a fresh methodological debate aimed at resolving a set of unusual technical and conservation challenges.

Data

AuthorsManifattura di Bruxelles Maestro della Marca Geometrica
Period16th century
Object typetapestry
Materialswool, silk
Dimensions471×342 cm
LocationMuseo del tesoro del Duomo di Modena

Activity information

Information on the work

Historical and descriptive information

The Invention of the Liberal and Mechanical Arts is part of the Stories of Genesis series — eight panels held at the Museo del Tesoro del Duomo in Modena. The series is of Flemish manufacture, notable for the refinement of its weave and the chromatic vitality of both its figurative scenes and the richly decorated floral-frieze borders. The tapestry depicts the artistic and technological contributions made to humanity by Cain and his descendants (Genesis 4:17–22) — a scene rarely represented, here further enriched by references drawn from classical myth and history.

Conservation condition

The work arrived in the laboratory for the completion of a restoration that had been largely carried out by a private studio in the preceding years. The tapestry had already been separated from its lining and reinforcement bands, vacuumed, immersion-cleaned and consolidated through the insertion of all missing warps and new wefts. As a result, the work presented sections in various states: some pre-consolidated with provisional stitching, some fully consolidated, others still undergoing integrative consolidation. The horizontal selvedges were missing entirely; the vertical selvedges were degraded and fragmentary.

Diagnostic investigations

Investigations carried out through microscopic analysis aimed to characterise both original and restoration materials, as well as any deposit materials, in order to understand the object and assess its conservation history — also through comparison with existing prior documentation.

Description of the intervention

The Opificio’s consolidation work focused on completing the weft integration in the left-hand portion of the tapestry and along the vertical selvedges. The technical and design effort was directed at harmonising the two phases of intervention while minimising impact on the original textile structure. By combining extended-weft integration with the chromatic solutions offered by the mélange technique, it was possible to restore the stability of the textile weave while simultaneously providing chromatic completion to visually significant lacunae — including the border.
Once consolidation was complete, the tapestry was fully backed. The new restoration selvedges, loom-woven, were applied beneath the originals or in place of them where entirely absent. The work has been lined and fitted with a Velcro hanging strip and is awaiting display in the newly refurbished Museo del Duomo.

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The Invention of the Liberal and Mechanical Arts, 16th century, Museo del tesoro del Duomo di Modena

Data

Activity information

Information on the work

Historical and descriptive information

Conservation condition

Diagnostic investigations

Description of the intervention

More Activities

Restoration Intervention Francesco Hayez, Corpus of Drawings, 19th century, Accademia di Brera, Milan

Restoration Intervention Volto Santo, 8th–9th century, Cathedral of San Martino, Lucca

Restoration Intervention Maintenance Workshop for Stage Models and Costumes, Historical Archive, Teatro del Maggio Musicale, Florence

Restoration Intervention Smiling Cupid, 17th century, Vasca dell’Isola, Le Gallerie degli Uffizi, Boboli Gardens, Florence

Restoration Intervention Master of Sant’Anastasia, Lamentation over the Dead Christ, first half of the 14th century, Museo Villa Carlotti, Caprino Veronese

Restoration Intervention Roman Art, Ancient Glass, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence

Restoration Intervention Scagliola Chest of Drawers Top with the Gondi Family Coat of Arms, 18th century, Villa La Quiete, Florence

Conservation and Research

Training

Archive and Library

The Museum

Institute

Data

Activity information

Information on the work

Historical and descriptive information

Conservation condition

Diagnostic investigations

Description of the intervention

Photo Gallery

04_GR13695_Modena_invenzione-delle-arti-dopo-il-restauro

More Activities

Restoration Intervention Francesco Hayez, Corpus of Drawings, 19th century, Accademia di Brera, Milan

Restoration Intervention Volto Santo, 8th–9th century, Cathedral of San Martino, Lucca

Restoration Intervention Maintenance Workshop for Stage Models and Costumes, Historical Archive, Teatro del Maggio Musicale, Florence

Restoration Intervention Smiling Cupid, 17th century, Vasca dell’Isola, Le Gallerie degli Uffizi, Boboli Gardens, Florence

Restoration Intervention Master of Sant’Anastasia, Lamentation over the Dead Christ, first half of the 14th century, Museo Villa Carlotti, Caprino Veronese

Restoration Intervention Roman Art, Ancient Glass, Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence

Restoration Intervention Scagliola Chest of Drawers Top with the Gondi Family Coat of Arms, 18th century, Villa La Quiete, Florence