Don Giulio Grosso reveals to present the restored altarpiece
Anticipation and curiosity held suspended many of those present Tuesday evening in the Collegiate Church of Saint Ambrose in Varanasi during the presentation of ' restoration, recently concluded, on the important work of the sixteenth Barbagelata. Evening
introduced by Prof. Marco Damonte, treasurer of Circle Kairos, and its pro-grandson of Bishop Calandrone who worked for the recovery work in the middle of last century. They have taken their initial greeting the dignitaries present, beginning with Bishop Bishop Vittorio Lupi, the pastor of St. Ambrose Can. Giulio Grosso and the Mayor of Varazze, on behalf of the administration, Prof. Giovanni Delfino, remembering how his July 13 calendar fixed memory of "our" Blessed Jacopo.
mention all the sponsors and organizations who have worked at the event, require the synergy of different people involved, to communicate with people who worked for the restoration work: the Diocese of Savona - Noli, Office of Cultural Heritage, with the parish of Sant'Ambrogio, the Superintendent of the artistic heritage of the Region of Liguria, Nino Silvestri restorer's lab, the Compagnia di San Paolo of Turin, which has shared with the parish to the considerable expense of assistance, The Circle with the Kairos Research Center Jacopo da Voragine, the Dominican Fathers of Varanasi and the Parish of Saints Nazario and Celso. Vera's necessary synergy to the program in order to best honor the memory of Blessed James, our patron and this important historical and artistic event. Address by Dr
. Paul Pacini 's Diocesan Office of Cultural Heritage, "preserve and present the sacred art today," which introduced the present reality and how to refer to start similar operations, the need to rebuild properly and promptly to the relevant departments, the valuable work of the parish, as well as the loci for the maintenance of the our immense artistic heritage, the procedure to start the call for contributions and collaboration with the Superintendency, even in times of scarcity economic resources, indispensable for the implementation of interventions, retraining and "research" of art history.
Then, aided by digital projection, Dr. Massimo Bartoletti, the Superintendent of historical, artistic and ethno-anthropological Liguria, dealing with the subject "John Barbagelata and painting from the end of the fourteenth and fifteenth century" and many recounted with significant images the artistic evolution of Barbagelata, starting from the Altarpiece of the Annunciation in Calvi in \u200b\u200bCorsica, by comparing the hand with some contemporary painting lines and traits. The occasion of the restoration was also appropriate to recall in the history of the vicissitudes of the important Superintendent Altarpiece, which was truly "discovered" and that is true grasp on the evening of Tuesday, July 13 a new discovery. The important work, however, came at the turn of the nineteenth century virtually abandoned and forgotten. In the course of the century are testimony to the letters from the historic John Patrone, in 1929 and 1935, the Royal Superintendent (Piemonte-Liguria-Valle d'Aosta) in which signals and reports the presence of the plates, separated, in particular the central San'Ambrogio. Images captured at the time for the publisher Sansoni of Florence. The central panel, individually identified, was undergoing restoration work to be displayed, the discharged fatherhood - signature - and then turned on again Barbagelata of interest in the magnificent work, recognizing the features. Arriving in the history of the last sixty years, after the fury of war, to the interest of Bishop Francis Calandrone in 1949 underwent a restoration, the entire work, commissioned by the Superintendence for Art Galleries and Works of Liguria. Tax was the restorer. Of the restoration work took care of it, Professor. Gian Vittorio Castelnovi of that Superintendency. The same
Castelnovi in \u200b\u200bits report of 1951: "the most archaic in the Ligurian tradition, his personality is characterized by how rude but frank and incisive, his figures are constructed and turned as statues, draperies have consistency and stiffness metal ... particularly the figure of S. Ambrose enthroned is similar to that of the board of St. Nicholas Pietra Ligure, in the previous two years, too ', it is likely the central compartment of an altarpiece, in the latter the sign is less robust and the figures of lesser strength and sharpness. The altarpiece Varazze complaint then considerable progress compared to its predecessor in Pietra Ligure, and is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Barbagelata. "Image of Saint Nicholas, very similar to that of St. Ambrose, in which the same dr. Bartoletti was about to close its documented as interesting speech.
The word is then passed to the Genoese restorer Nino Silvestri, outlined the stages of restoration. Starting from the situation in the work before surgery, the damaged parts and exposed, said that not only lacks the central panel of the upper register but also the frame and therefore the plates were downsized in the past. The serious flaws, the rigid frame, as was used in the past, however, has made fixed tables, caging the wood in its natural settlement. Illustrated to present the most sophisticated techniques for the study of colors, natural, UV and micrometer sampling operations. The phases of the cleanup and renewed splendor. The Silvestri has also highlighted the importance of the environment in which the work is located, the temperature-heating, moisture and light, now in the face of recent acquisitions is no longer negligible for the proper conservation.
The Dominicans, Fra Giacomo Grasso, concluded the series of interventions, with the theme "S. Ambrose second Jacopo da Voragine ", an example of presentation of an important saint by the Archbishop of Genoa, starting from the etymological meaning of the name" Ambrose ". Do not act so surprised at the narrative of the miracles in the first part, then the lifestyle. "Ambrose was very austere. Fasted every day except Saturday and Sunday, and in large parties. He had great love. As he gave it to the churches and the poor, without anything to keep him. Humble and diligent in his own hand wrote his works, as long as health allowed him. In learning the death of a priest or a bishop cried mostly because they had preceded him and had left a void. " Called to be Bishop when he was not even baptized, but still only a catechumen, Ambrose, as it depicts the Barbagelata with the scourge, "fought" the Arian heresy. Typical synthesis Dominican Jacopo da Voragine, concludes by listing eight reasons to praise Sant'Ambrogio.
At the end, these transferred in front of the Chapel of St. Ambrose, were able to aim the Polittico found in all its splendor, greeted by applause as the parish priest Don Giulio Grosso proceeded in the "revelation".
At the end of the square of St. Ambrose Catholic Action of the ladies were able to offer ice cream de "Gardens in March."
Even the contemplation of beauty, art, be it figurative or music, prayer and renewed excite astonishment in the pilgrim who will now work in Sant'Ambrogio wonderful that more than five centuries later still was able to "say" something .
Salutations Mgr Vittorio Lupi introduction of Marco Damonte
The pastor of St. Ambrose Can Giulio Grosso
The Mayor of Varanasi Prof. Giovanni Delfino
Dr. Paul Pacini - Cultural Office Diocese of Savona-Noli
Massimo Bartoletti - Superintendent Region Liguria
The Restorer Nino Silvestri
Fra Giacomo Grasso op - Convento di Varazze
other pictures on http tunnel : / / www.ponentevarazzino.com/
Notes iconographic
After some considerations on the figures of saints represented in the Altarpiece, now composed of nine tables.
Surely the most famous in the classic artistic representation of male figures in the lower register (from left to right): St. John the Baptist, St. Peter the Apostle, St. Ambrose Enthroned - Central -, St. Paul the Apostle, Saint Jerome.
Less known female figures in the upper register, for which, given the curiosity aroused at the end of the presentation, we devote a few lines of discussion, referring to scholars and enthusiasts to specific texts of hagiography, pointing out that the Golden Legend is a milestone in reading and in the artistic representation of the iconography of the saints.
From left to right:
The first figure, which in the same report of 1951 Professor Castelnovi posed the question mark (?), Some other St. Agnes St. Dorothy, it slants to the award most likely . In fact, Dorothy was born in Caesarea, city \u200b\u200bof Cappadocia, allegedly by Christian family, and wealthy. In fact since childhood is characterized by works of charity, wisdom and extraordinary purity of heart. It was during the persecution of Diocletian. The inquisitor would immediately look to see if Dorothy was a Christian, and made to her to take the lead did before him, and ordered her to sacrifice to the gods. Faced with the firm and repeated rejection of Dorothea, saprice threatened by placing in front of the instruments of torture, but the girl did not have no fear. At the end they were all tired of quell'incrollabile peace and judges uttered the sentence of death by beheading, which the girl received with joy, thanking Christ that called at her wedding.
When Santa was before the strain of the Executioner, asked to have a short time to pray and in the meantime here is that appears next to her a beautiful boy carrying a basket where they had three apples and three beautiful fresh and beautiful roses. Here are the roses that decorate Polittico depicted in the head, sometimes fruit and palm symbol of martyrdom. Dorothea protect in particular, for each of the basket of flowers and fruits, those who grow fruit and flowers, gardeners, florists and those who work with flowers and fruit.
for its purity and supply of beautiful flowers and fruit basket is the patron saint of brides, and young married couples in general. Martyr in 284 AD or so. Following
a second from the left St. Margaret of Antioch, where the Blessed Jacopo devotes several pages. He was born in 275 in Antioch in Pisidia. His father was a priest Aedesius Edesimo or pay for this role the family of Margaret stood for wealth and social and religious life of the city. Margaret presumably remains bereft of a mother from the first days of life, so much so that her father entrusted to a nurse who lives in the nearby countryside.
The nurse secretly Christian, Margaret teaches that faith and when the couple thought it appeared to be baptized. All this was, of course, without the knowledge of his father. We
during the period of persecution triggered by Maximian and Diocletian, Margherita growing learned the story of the heroic brothers in faith, strengthened his spirit inspired by the Gospel, she was determined to emulate the courage of Christians before the cruelty of the persecutions in his prayers and asked to be worthy to show its loyalty to Christ.
father unaware of all this he decided to resume the now fifteen-year-daughter at his home in Antioch. But Margaret did not like the teachings of pagan and a short time later revealed to be the father of Christian. For this reason, the father did not hesitate to send her home, and Margaret returned from her nanny took her. Margaret came in handy in the countryside tending the flock and for other needs that arise; she devoted much time to prayer. One day while leading the sheep to pasture, Margaret, was discovered by Oliaro, the new governor of the province, just saw it was struck by her beauty and ordered it to be carried out before.
After a long interview, the governor failed to convince in order to become his wife, Margaret, she immediately said Christian was adamant in professing his faith. The governor, after a long interrogation, the responses of Margaret, counters with flogging and imprisonment.
According to tradition, Margherita is in prison in the devil - as is shown in the Barbagelata Altarpiece, a symbol of evil temptation, in the form of a terrible dragon, which the swallows, but armed with a cross that she held in her hands, tears open the belly of the monster defeated. From this fantastic episode, was born in the popular devotion to Margaret recognized that virtue, to obtain through her intercession, an easy delivery to women who call on her before the start of labor. (Source Caramel Club)
After a brief period in jail, Margaret is subjected to a relentless questioning in front of all new national, even on this occasion, it does not hesitate to proclaim to all his faith in Christ and have dedicated her virginity. Once again she was invited to worship and burn incense to the pagan gods, but she refuses and mentions the passage of the Gospel of Matthew, saying "when you are in front of judges and deans, you do not care how or what you have to answer, because the Spirit of your Father which is in heaven, will speak for you."
While everyone watched what was going on, a strong earthquake startled the earth and a dove appeared that he went to lay a wreath on the head of Margherita.
This prodigious event, the claims of Margaret, his rejection of pagan practices and the many conversions that took place, they sent very angry that the governor issued the sentence for Margaret: "Come beheaded outside the city."
Margaret was beheaded July 20 290 at the age of fifteen years. Here the symbol in the work of the palm of martyrdom. Continuing
left Santa Marta.
The iconography of Mars is closely linked with that of his sister, Mary Magdalene. Martha in the Gospels appears on two occasions: first when, with her sister Mary, receiving the Lord in their home, Martha is the second time in the death and resurrection of Lazarus. When the Lord comes to Bethany, Martha is the first to rise to receive him and hear the solemn warning of Christ "I am the Resurrection and the Life." Wants to retain the Lord who calls for opening of the tomb of Lazarus, "Lord, already stinks, because it is dead for four days."
We find then only at the banquet at Bethany, where he does not speak merely to service the table.
If the concern of artists to portray Mary Magdalene was mainly to highlight the beauty, sometimes at the expense of spirituality and religiosity, in depictions of Martha has intensified the austere character of the figure, giving it a static character.
There are few images that we offer it in a different way from the stern matron in almost monastic robes, his face still, surrounded by white wimple, so like hundreds of other saints.
el'aspersorio The dragon won, as in the Altarpiece of St Ambrose in Varazze, assumes sometimes the strangest shapes, appear in many paintings. The dragon motif is won so common in the iconography of the saints. The same Jacopo da Voragine devotes an account in his Golden Legend, defining it as "the one that housed Christ." Last
female figure from right to left in the upper register is Santa Barbara.
was born in Nicomedia in 273. He was distinguished for its commitment to study and confidentiality, quality that helps it qualify as "barbaric," that is foreign, not Roman. Between 286-287 Barbara moved to the country villa Scandriglia today in the province of Rieti, Dioscoro with his father, a collaborator of the emperor Maximian Herculean. The conversion to Christianity by Barbara provoked the wrath of his father Dioscoro. Since ancient cult that was widespread, both in East and West, however, with regard to biographical information, you have very little information: name, oriental origin, with any verisimilitude Egypt, and martyrdom. The legend, then enriched with fantastic details, sometimes surreal, life of the martyr: it had a special influence on both the cult as iconography.
Barbara's father, Dioscuro, built a tower, classic iconographic element of the Holy Barbagelata which refers also to lock up the beautiful daughter request in marriage by many suitors. She, however, did not intend to marry but to devote herself to God before entering the tower, not yet baptized and willing to receive the sacrament of regeneration, he went to a pool of water near the tower and you are surrounded by three repeatedly saying: "Barbara Battezzasi in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." At the behest of his father, the tower would have two windows, but it took three Barbara S.ma in honor of the Trinity (as in the table of politics). His father, a pagan, came to the attention of the Christian profession of his daughter, he decided to kill her, but she, passing between the walls of the tower, miraculously, managed to escape. Captured again, the father led her to the magistrate, so that was cruelly tortured and killed. The prefect Marciano tried to persuade Barbara to withdraw from his purpose, then, given the attempts useless, ordered him to torment her envelop the whole body in rough clothes and rough enough to make her bleed all over. During the night, continues the story following a pattern common to the hagiographic legends, Barbara had a vision and was completely healed. The following day the prefect subjected to new and more cruel tortures: the re-torn his flesh had put hot iron plates. Some Giuliana, present at the execution, had expressed feelings Christians, was associated with martyrdom; the flames, burning their hips to harass, went out almost immediately. Barbara, carried naked through the city, miraculously returned dressed and healthy, despite the order of flagellation. Finally, the Prefect condemned the beheading, was the father who did the same sentence. Here in Santa Barbara also associated with the palm of martyrdom. Immediately after the fire came down from heaven and burned down the cruel father, which were not even ashes.
Emperor Justin, in sec. VI, would have transferred the relics of the martyr from Egypt to Constantinople, a few centuries later the Venetians moved into their town and had traveled here in the church of S. John Evangelista Torcello (1009). The cult of the martyr was widespread in Italy, probably imported during the Byzantine period, employment in the sec. VI, and then developed during the Crusades.
Lorenzo Grazioli Gauthier
