FLORENCE, Feb 26 — Following six years of restoration and inspection, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Adoration of the Magi will go back on display at the Uffizi in Florence late next month.
The Gallerie degli Uffizi will spotlight the painting in the upcoming exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci’s Magic Cosmos: The Adoration of the Magi Restored,” which opens on March 28.
The painting’s restoration entailed the recovery of many of the work’s colours, such that its many details are revealed, as well as conversation issues.
Leonardo was commissioned to paint the The Adoration of the Magi in 1481 by the Austin Friars but stopped painting after a preliminary study upon leaving for Milan in 1491. Another altarpiece depicting the Adoration of the Magi was commissioned from Filippino Lippi and completed in 1496, while Leonardo’s work found a home in the palazzo of the Benci family in Florence, later joining the Medici family’s collections.
At 246 x 243 cm, the work is the Uffizi’s largest panel painting by the artist.
In the exhibition, the restored painting will be joined by Filippino Lippi’s 1496 version and their differences will be highlighted — both the contrasting temperaments of the two artists and the way they depicted the subject matter in light of changes in Florence’s political and social climiate in the years between their two works.
“Leonardo da Vinci’s Magic Cosmos: The Adoration of the Magi Restored” runs from March 28 to September 24.
Details of the exhibition were revealed as part of an announcement of the Uffizi’s upcoming programming, which also includes an exhibition of the restored Raising of Lazarus triptych by French painter Nicolas Froment. Painted in 1461, the restored work will go on display March 7.
Also on March 28, a series of masterpieces from the earthquake-struck Marche region will go on show in “We Must Make Haste! Marche 2016 — 2017: Treasures Rescued and Treasures Still to Rescue,” with profits to go toward restoring monuments damaged in the earthquake. — AFP-Relaxnews
