The iconic Raphael Loggias frescoes have entered one of the largest restoration projects in their history, as the Vatican Museums begin a five-year effort to conserve the Renaissance masterpiece.
The Loggias, which were created between 1517 and 1519 on commission of Pope Leo X, stretch nearly 65 meters across 13 bays along the second floor of the Apostolic Palace. In the elaborate work, Raphael depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments, heavily inspired by Roman aesthetics.
More than 20 conservators are participating in the restoration, which aims to address centuries of deterioration caused largely by environmental exposure. Although glass windows were installed around the Loggias in the 19th century to protect the frescoes from rain, sunlight, and humidity, they ended up creating a microclimate that accelerated the deterioration of the painted surfaces. Preliminary studies also found that sections naturally shielded from light retained much of their original color, offering conservators valuable insight into the frescoes’ original appearance.
The restoration will begin by stabilizing areas where paint has become fragile before cleaning the surfaces with fiber laser technology. Conservators will then retouch damaged areas using methods that distinguish modern restoration from the original painting. Work is currently focused on the first four bays before expanding to the rest of the gallery.
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The project is supported by $5.5 million from the Legacy of Raphael: The Vatican and Beyond initiative, part of the World Monuments Fund. In addition to the restoration, additional funding has been provided for new climate-control windows, which are expected to better protect the frescoes from future environmental damage.
