Andrea Solario's "Madonna with the Reading Child," which is part of the collections at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan, has been restored to its original splendor thanks to the Restoration Club and the contribution of the auction house Wannenes.
The meticulously restored artwork will be unveiled tomorrow evening, on September 12, at 6:30 p.m., within an exclusive event held at the Orangerie of the Poldi Pezzoli Museum. This event is by invitation only. The restoration was skillfully executed by Paola Zanolini, who succeeded in reinstating the original finesse of execution, accentuating intricate details such as the gilded halos and highlights.
The museum's collection houses eight paintings by Andrea Solario, a prominent figure in the 19th century alongside the resurgence of Leonardesque artists. This piece serves as a splendid representation of devotional art from the Lombard Renaissance and is being presented in conjunction with an upcoming exhibition dedicated to Andrea and Cristoforo Solari, luminaries of the Renaissance spanning between Milan and France. This exhibition is scheduled to open at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum on October 24, 2024, in collaboration with the Louvre Museum.
This painting, likely created at the onset of the 16th century, encapsulates Andrea Solario's two primary formative influences. The composition, characterized by a dark background and a balustrade creating a quasi-divider with the observer, draws inspiration from the Venetian models of Alvise Vivarini and Giovanni Bellini, both of whom Solario became acquainted with during his time in Venice. On the other hand, the chromatic palette, built upon delicate harmonies of blues and pinks, the skillful use of chiaroscuro, and the subtle highlights, can be traced back to the artistic influences of Vincenzo Foppa and Bergognone.
Lavinia Galli, the Conservator of the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan, recently discussed the restoration of the painting in a comprehensive analysis featured in the maison's magazine. Here are some key excerpts from her insights:
"For quite some time, we had been actively seeking support for the restoration of this painting. It had not only lost its clarity and legibility in various sections, but it also held tremendous significance within the historical and artistic landscape, as well as in the broader collection of the Poldi Pezzoli Museum. Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, a fervent collector of Lombard Renaissance art, showed immense dedication to this era, a passion that was continued by subsequent museum directors through their acquisitions. As a result, today, this section of our collection stands as one of the most substantial and valuable within the museum."
No other artist is as extensively represented in the collection of Andrea Solario as this master, with a total of eight paintings attributed to him. These works, originally crafted for private devotional purposes, provide us with a unique iconography where it is the Child, rather than the Virgin, who grasps a book in his tiny hands. In this portrayal, Jesus wears a questioning expression, seemingly seeking an explanation from his mother regarding the contents of the book. The depth of understanding between them is evident in the Virgin's lowered gaze towards her Son.
From an iconographic perspective, one can draw a parallel to the reading boy depicted by Vincenzo Foppa in 1464 for the Banco Mediceo (currently housed in London's Wallace Collection). This reference sheds light on the thematic lineage.
Executed in tempera, the painting had undergone extensive cleaning in the past, which had resulted in the abrasion of the pictorial surface. Today, we once again have the privilege of admiring the original delicacy of execution in specific details. These include the exquisite gold finishing of the halos and the book's edges, as well as the skillfully applied transparent lacquers that enhance the highlights on the band enveloping the Child.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli
| ArtMajeur Magazine