Conservation News

“Room of the Four Doors” Palazzo Ducale Restoration Begins with a $100,000 Match Opportunity to Enhance Your Impact

November 2023

Conservation financed through Save Venice’s ambitious campaign for the Room of the Four Doors, Sala delle Quattro Porte, in Venice’s Palazzo Ducale begins this month and with a very special opportunity. Through the generosity of Karin & Peter Leidel, donations made to the campaign will be matched 1:1 up to $100,000. As one of the most impressive reception halls within Palazzo Ducale, the cost of this initial phase of treatment is significant at more than $700,000. About $300,000 has been raised to date thanks to the leading support of the Leidels; the Manitou Fund through Nora McNeely Hurley; The Gritti Palace, A Luxury Hotel, Venice, and others. Scroll down to learn more about the project and how to make a gift to the general campaign or adopt a specific element.

Heavy alterations applied to the frescoes in previous interventions are distorting the legibility of the pictorial surface, large sections are lifting and detaching, and unsightly cracks have resulted in gaps that further disturb the viewing of the artworks.
The sculptural decoration is suffering from the accumulation of a thick layer of grime and dirt, cracking and buckling, and areas integrated in previous interventions have chromatically altered, resulting in a patchy appearance.

The Room of the Four Doors in Palazzo Ducale stands as one of the most magnificent reception halls within the Venetian Republic’s seat of government. Save Venice’s campaign will fund the restoration of this room’s imposing decorative ceiling, adorned with frescoes by Jacopo Tintoretto and other artists, and the grand four doors from which the room takes its name. Read more about the artworks here.

While treatment is underway, a dedicated website will share behind-the-scaffolding footage and photography that will capture the progress of restoring the room. Visitors to Palazzo Ducale will be able to witness the ongoing restoration of the four monochrome canvas paintings from above the four doors in a special “open worksite” in another area of the museum.

Work is projected to span approximately one year, and will be carried out by the Co.New.Tech restoration firm in collaboration with restorer Valentina Piovan. This expert team will address a myriad of challenges, which have been compounded by previous restoration attempts and modifications made by other artists in the 18th century, particularly on some of Tintoretto’s frescoes.

Detail of the ceiling fresco depicting Jupiter crowning Venice queen of the sea, before conservation. Photo: Matteo De Fina.
"Door to the Senate" with sculptures by Girolamo Campagna, before conservation. Sponsored by The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice. Photo: Matteo De Fina.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
Increase Your Impact through the Match Opportunity

Play a direct role in the campaign by making a general donation or by adopting a specific element. Two of the four doors remain as well as paintings and elements of the ceiling. Request a deck from kim@savevenice.org.

For a limited time, gifts made up to $100,000 will be matched by Karin & Peter Leidel.

Donors giving $25,000+ will be recognized on worksite signage in Palazzo Ducale. Contact Save Venice to learn more and about the many benefits offered to our sponsors.

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