Domenico Veneziano at San Tarasio

* This paper was written in 1957 during a visit to the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton.

Abstract

SINCE the grandiose cycle of frescoes that decorate the apsidal vault of the chapel of San Tarasio in San Zaccaria (Fig. 1) had become impossible to appreciate owing to the pall of mold and repaint that covered them (Fig. 2), the decision to clean them became urgent. Five years ago, after setting up a scaffolding in order to study a plan of restoration, we found ourselves facing a really alarming situation. In many places the painted surface turned out to be lifted up in little scales produced by the hardening of the casein, unfortunately applied at the time of a previous restoration. But the gravest symptom was revealed by the efflorescences which appeared here and there, disclosing the disintegrating consistency of the intonaco (Fig. 4). This was due to the dampness that for centuries has been condensing in the high apse vault, and also to the fact that high tide salt water stagnates in the crypt immediately below the chapel. To remedy this situation pumps were employed some decades ago but, soon paralyzed by rust, they proved completely useless. What was to be done?