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Masters' Drawings in "Codex Resta" Restored at Biblioteca Ambrosiana |
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| Written by Colleen Barry, Associated Press Writer |
| Thursday, 19 November 2009 01:53 |
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"This is a measure of the operation," said Cecilia Forsinini, director of restoration at the Florence-based state conservation institute, Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Inside the containers were smaller boxes to provide more suitable storage for the delicate drawings, and allow them to be consulted and viewed without causing further harm, Forsinini said. Much of the damage to the drawings in the "Codex Resta" was caused by the binding: some drawings had inadvertent folds, some had wrinkles, and all of the pages, each containing up to two drawings, were wavy. The drawings were first unbound from their worn leather binding, and then each received individual treatment depending on its condition, from cleaning to repairs. Some had been previously removed, and then put back in with scotch tape, requiring extra care to restore. Milan's Biblioteca Ambrosiana plans to display the collection with other treasures in the future, but no date has been set. It is currently showing the first of 24 exhibits spanning six years that will display all of Leonardo da Vinci's 1,119-page "Codex Atlanticus." Only six volumes remain in tact, including the "Codex Resta" and another of Peter Rubens' drawings at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. But individual drawings, distinguished by the collector's numbering, have made their way into public and private collections round the world. Founded by a cardinal who thought it would aid the Counter-Reformation, the Biblioteca Ambrosiana hosted the second public library in Europe and, unlike most book collections of the day, displayed its treasures in glass cases instead of chaining them to desks against thievery. These days, you still can't borrow anything from the Bibliotheca, but it offers literature classes and, for now, a chance to check out some da Vinci you won't find in other museums. The selections on display are taken from theCodex Atlanticus, a set of drawings and doodles assembled into a book by a da Vinci fan after his death. In order to be put on display, restoration experts at the Bibliotheca painstakingly disassembled the binding and have been treating each page separately so that the exhibit will deal as little pain to them as possible. And budgeting travelers can stretch the pain of not being able to see the first installment over a few years as they plan a Milan jaunt in 2010 or beyond. By: Colleen Barry, Associated Press Writer Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~ |
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