Italian masterpiece to be restored with support from Ferrari

The conservation program will start next January and is expected to last around a year. The work is being led by a team from specialist firm Tecnireco, under the direction of Sergio Fusetti, Head Restorer at the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, in partnership with Umbria’s Archaeology, Fine Art and Landscape Authority.

Dating from around 1285-1290, the ‘Maestà di Assisi’ is in the northern transept of the Lower Church of the Basilica. The fresco is famous not only for depicting a monumental image of the Virgin enthroned, but also one of the oldest portraits of Saint Francis, said to have been painted based on descriptions from people who knew him personally. Thanks to delicate conservation work, this masterpiece of universal value will glow brighter and continue to delight visitors in the future.

“Ferrari is an ambassador for Italy around the world. Ours is an extraordinary country, famed for thousands of years of artistic heritage. The world of luxury that Ferrari inhabits has close ties with art and culture, so it felt natural for us to play our part in preserving an Italian masterpiece, which also teaches a lesson from St Francis’ humility,” said Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari. 

“I believe corporate social responsibility, thanks to partnerships between the public and private sector, can bring significant results. Our projects in education, health and environmental protection are testaments to this approach. With today’s announcement made together with the friars of the Sacro Convento, we are proud to include cultural conservation, too.”