News & Stories

The six side chapels flanking the nave of San Sebastiano are now receiving much-needed conservation treatment thanks to the support of The Boston Chapter of Save Venice, Richard and Jill Almeida, Cat Jagger Pollon in memory of her mother Elisabeth Pollon, J. Mitchell Crosby and Randall E. Felkel in memory of Pati Crosby Croffead, and an anonymous donor.

During the coming months, conservators from Co.New Tech will concentrate their efforts on cleaning and consolidating the decorative elements of each of the chapels, which include frescoes attributed to Andrea Schiavone (c. 1510/1515-1563), and exquisite sculptures by Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608). When work began, the team quickly uncovered stucco work, gilding, and original polychromy and marmorino plaster that had been obscured by multiple layers of gray overpainting and glues that had been applied in previous restorations. The Garzoni Chapel will undergo additional treatment to remove salt deposits and repair damage caused by the effects of rising damp.

Simultaneously in the church, conservators are continuing to restore the red and white Verona marble floor thanks to a matching grant from the Regione Veneto in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese of Venice. This substantial phase of work is being undertaken in sections to allow the church to remain open for visitors who can observe the meticulous process.

There’s still time to support San Sebastiano. Join the donors who have made the historic campaign for San Sebastiano possible by adopting one of the final few crucial elements in need of sponsorship. Contact kim@savevenice.org to learn more.