Save Venice’s ongoing 50th Anniversary conservation campaign for the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello has led to the exciting discovery of 9th-century frescoes—never before seen or studied—confirming the existence of a narrative Carolingian decorative cycle. This Western European style was replaced in the 11th century with the iconic Byzantine mosaics we see in the church today.
These fragments of wall painting include a vivid representation of the Virgin Mary and a handmaid; and a second pictorial panel, probably related to a parallel cycle, depicting Saint Martin. The images are accompanied by painted captions with early medieval lettering.
The frescoes, covered by a layer of rubble since the Middle Ages, are no longer visible from the nave of the church and are preserved high on the walls, towards the roof and above the vaults supporting the mosaics. They represent a fundamental element for the reconstruction of the artistic history not only of the basilica of Torcello, but for the entire early Middle Ages in Venice and the northern Adriatic.
“Save Venice’s conservation treatments often lead to discoveries that change our understanding of the history of Venetian art,” said Save Venice Chairman, Frederick Ilchman. “But this remarkable find from more than 1000 years ago pulls back the curtain of time. We are proud of our participation in this restoration and grateful to the handful of very generous donors that make the conservation work possible. We look forward to finding additional sponsors in anticipation of our 50th Anniversary in 2021, allowing us to continue on Torcello and in dozens of other Venetian sites.”
On Friday, July 24, 2020, Venice Director Melissa Conn joined the Patriarch of Venice, S.E. Mons. Francesco Moraglia, the head of the Catholic Diocese of Venice Cultural office Don Gianmatteo Caputo, Superintendency architect Massimo Dadà, Università Ca’ Foscari archeologist Diego Calaon for a special press conference to present these extraordinary findings.
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133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.