News & Stories

The treatment of the Votive Madonna Sculpture brought Save Venice’s attention to other artworks in the church that were in urgent need of conservation. Save Venice has now additionally committed to fund restoration of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie altar, which houses the precious sculpture and is suffering from severe condition problems caused by rising damp and the crystallization of salt deposits. Corrosive salt has permeated the marble reliefs, causing the stone to flake away and detach, threatening permanent loss of the carved decoration. These areas will be dismantled to undergo desalination treatment, using large baths of deionized water, and the entire altar, its sculptures, and reliefs will be cleaned and consolidated.

The imposing Carrara marble baroque altar is attributed to Giovanni Comin (1647–1695) and his workshop and dates to c.1694. It is decorated with sculptures of angels and putti, and the votive Madonna is prominently featured in a central niche supported by two kneeling angels. The lower register of the altar is embellished with bas-reliefs that depict three legendary stories associated with the Madonna. Read More.

The history, patrimony, and conservation of the Church of San Marziale will be featured in an upcoming virtual Research & Restoration Roundtable at the Rosand Library & Study Center at Save Venice on March 17, 2021.

You can play a direct role in preserving the Beata Vergine delle Grazie altar by funding an element of its conservation or by supporting the general campaign. The total cost to treat the altar is €60,420. Select opportunities are highlighted here. Contact Save Venice for more information.