The California and Northwest Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums
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The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is dedicated to Northwest Chapter the restoration, conservation and preservation of the works of art housed in the multiple historic Patrons of the Arts galleries of the smallest country in the world. The PAVM aims to make art accessible to all and is in the Vatican Museums committed to interpretation and education. Issue 3 • Spring/Summer 2015 About the Patrons Northwest Chapter Takes Its First Trip to Rome The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Muse- ums is a unique group of people supporting April 2015 the preservation and perpetuation of the The goals were vast and unique collection of art contained simple: The NW in the Vatican Museums. Patrons would tour The Patrons provide the main source of parts of the Vatican revenue for the Vatican Museums’ art resto- Museums from an ration projects, which include Catholic and insider’s perspective sacred art from all traditions, as a method and learn more about to reach out to the thousands of visitors that the PAVM mission come each day. We also fund various artistic of restoration and and educational experiences for children preservation. They and the visually and hearing impaired, would stay in the marking the first of their kind in Italy. centro storico di Roma, the historical part of The Vatican Museums are the main genera- Rome, within easy tor of funds for the City State, as all papal walking distance to masses and audiences are free of admission the Pantheon, restau- and entrance into St. Peter’s Basilica is gra- rants, and shopping. tis. Most people are unaware that revenue They would see from the ticket sales are only able to cover works of art by the basic maintenance, insurance, security, and “controversial” artist staff, leaving little money for restoration or Caravaggio in the modernization. Borghese Gallery That’s where the Patrons have played a and local churches. valuable and unique role. Patrons have Check, check and check. raised the funds to restore some of the most famous artistic treasures, such as: The Pau- line Chapel, The Raphael Rooms, The Borgia Apartments, frescoes on the lateral walls of the Sistine Chapel, and the Hall of Maps. All Patrons are able to stroll through the Vatican Gardens, tour the Sistine Chapel privately, and tour the museum restoration laboratories buried deep within Vatican City. Our Patrons are divided into local chapters that host a variety of amazing and unri- valled events in the local area to encourage enthusiasm for the arts. Papal Audience in Piazza San Pietro. - Gabe Hanzeli & Gail James Photos For more information and Then there were the additional, less expected, pleasures. membership benefits go to: Rooftop breakfasts with a panoramic view of Rome and St. Rome Office Peter’s in the distance. Seeing the Pope from the VIP platform www.vatican-patrons.org rather than standing out in the square with thousands of Northwest Chapter others. A remarkable underground wine cellar at a charming www.nwpatrons.com restaurant near Castel Sant’ Angelo. The unveiling of the newly restored statue of Perseus. The silence and extreme beauty of the Borghese Gallery and Sistine Chapel when closed to the public. More photos inside January Patrons Event at Steve Jensen Studios It was a crazy day in Seattle. The Seahawks had won the playoff game to go to the Super Bowl and rain was flooding city streets and basements, but the Patrons were gathering together to drink wine and talk about art and an upcoming trip to Rome – nothing was going to prevent that from happening! We gathered at Steve Jensen’s home/workplace/warehouse on Capitol Hill to learn about Steve’s artistic inspirations and see his collection of local artists. Steve and his partner, Vincent Lipe, said that they “were honored to do something for the Vatican Muse- ums” and generoulsy donated 25% of art purchases made that day to our NW Patrons’ restoration projects. SAVE THE DATE Lively and entertaining Liz Lev will join us for an evening of conver- sation. In April, she took the NW Chapter on a very private tour of the NW Patron’s Event Borghese Gallery and on a walking tour of the many Caravaggio paintings Guest Speaker in churches throughout Rome. Elizabeth Lev, Ph.D. Elizabeth Lev is an American-born art historian who lives and works in Rome. After finishing her studies at the University of Chicago in 1989, she moved to northern Italy to do her graduate work at the University of Sunday, August 23, 2015 Bologna. She became a denizen of Rome in 1997. Frye Art Museum Liz started giving tours in 1998 for a small cultural association and passed 704 Terry Ave, Seattle the licensing exam for guides in 2001. That same year she was hired to teach art history at Duquesne University’s Italian campus, and has remained a 5-7 p.m. member of the Rome faculty ever since. After a five-year stint teaching Invitation to follow Renaissance art at John Cabot University, she joined the teaching staff at the Pontifical University of the Angelicum in Rome, and more recently has s Liz Lev prepares a rapt audience to enter the Borghese Gallery begun teaching at Christendom College as well. Page 2 NW PAVM First Project Unveiled: Perseus NW PAVM Next Project: Hermes Artist: Antonio Canova Artist: Unknown Date: 1801 Date: Hadrian period, Dimensions: 160w x 214h x 107d cm - 5.25w x 7.02h x 3.5d in I-II Century AD Materials: White Marble Dimensions: 195 cm - 6 ft 4 in Materials: White Marble t Massimo, Hermes’ Restorer. t t Hermes being stabilized before the start of restora- tion. Old glue has significantly dam- aged the statue. The dates and locations of the origin and discovery of this Hermes statue are still not completely clear. Some documents state that the Hermes was found between 1540 and 1543 in the Vigna Pallini near Castel Sant’ Angelo not far from the Vatican in the original mausoleum of Hadrian. The theory of antiquarian Pirro Ligorio was that it was found during the pontificate of Paul III (1534-1549) at San Martino ai Monti in Rome. In 1543, the statue was purchased by Paul III to decorate a niche in the Courtyard of the Belvedere and around 1560 was heavily restored by Guglielmo Della Porta. For many years it was identified with the Antinous, the favorite Greek youth and member of the entourage of the Emperor Hadrian, but the al- leged was later recognized as Hermes. In this work, Hermes is represented in a rather thoughtful stance, mantel thrown over The official unveiling of his left shoulder and forearm folded, waiting to accompany the Antonio Canova’s newly deceased to the afterlife. This wonderful statue of Hermes is a restored Perseus Holding the Roman copy of the original from the school of Praxiteles (late Head of Medusa took place classical period, 4th cent. BC). on Thursday, May 1, 2015, from the 2014 Wishbook - http://www.vatican-patrons.org/hermes-3-541 in conjunction with the NW Projected Cost to Restore Projected Cost to Restore Chapter’s visit to the Vatican. Fr. Mark Haydu was pleased to Perseus (2012 Wishbook) Hermes (2014 Wishbook) share the microphone with Antonio Paolucci, Vatican Museums Director, Guy Devreux, Head of the Restoration Department, Projected Cost: € 69,200.00 Projected Cost: € 69,200.00 and Andrea Felice, Restorer of the Perseus statue. Deposit: € 22,800.00 Deposit: € 20,000.00 You can watch an overview by Romina Cometti of the restora- Project completed: 2015 Funds pledged to date: € 0 tion process implemented for Antonio Canova’s Perseus, go to: https://www.youtube.com/embed/XinGGFDqFyQ?autoplay=1&hd=1&r Final payment: € 35,000.00* Projected completion: TBA el=0&KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=600&width=940?autopla *The exchange rate worked in our favor. Final payment: TBA y=1&hd=1&rel=0 How Choosing a Project and Paying for it Works: • In preparation for each by the Chapter, a deposit is and better understands the • If the cost of the restora- new edition of the Wishbook, sent to the Patrons Office to complexity of each project, tion is greater than originally the Patrons Office works with be converted to Euros. A job that member will be moved budgeted, an accounting is the Director of each restora- account is opened. to make a larger donation if sent to the chapter. Perseus, tion department to select its • Meanwhile, the local able. for example, ran over budget highest priority projects to Chapter continues collecting • When a restoration is because of the important work propose to the Patron chap- US dollars in its 501 (c)(3) completed, an outstanding being done to stabilize its ped- ters. The “competition” for a accounts via donations from its balance invoice is sent to the estal. The Chapter is welcome new project selection begins members. Because everyone chapter for final payment. to pay the additional amount, at midnight on April 1, when is always welcome to become • If the cost of the restora- but is not required. The total the Wishbook is officially a member of the Patrons, the tion is less than originally cost tends to change slightly released, first online, and then cost of membership is kept low. budgeted, that difference is as the exchange rate fluctu- in print. However, it is hoped that once rolled into the deposit for the ates between the US Dollar • Once a project is chosen a member visits the Vatican chapter’s next project. and the Euro. Page 3 A Private Visit to the Sistine Chapel is the study and analysis of the artwork.