>OUR PROJECTS > MICHELANGELO’S MADONNA DI BRUGES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED UNVEILED IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
MICHELANGELO’S MADONNA DI BRUGES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED UNVEILED IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
June 2015 - Vatican Museums
We are grateful to the historical Fonderia Marinelli in Florence, and Ronald and Susan Welborn, Patrons from Texas, who donated the exquisite bronze sculpture, of Michelangelo's depiction of the Madonna and Child (Madonna di Bruges) especially created from the original Michelangelo casts of Casa Caravaggio and donated to the Vatican Museums. The Italian & International Chapter facilitated the donation and unveiling.
The Madonna di Bruges has an extraordinary new presence at the entrance to the Pinacoteca. Not only can all visitors touch the Madonna, it also offers a particularly spiritual experience for the blind and visually impaired, as they can almost communicate with her through the warmth of their fingertips.
This sculpture of the Madonna and Child shares certain similarities with Michelangelo's Pièta, which is placed behind bulletproof glass, and the public can only view it from 15 feet away.
Read about the Unveiling:
On Saturday, 13 June 2015, the Italian and International Patrons of the Arts joined together for a special soirée in the Vatican Museums for the inauguration and unveiling of Michelangelo’s Madonna di Bruges in the Pinacoteca. Michelangelo's Madonna di Bruges, created and formed from the original casts of Casa Caravaggio, was dedicated to the tour for the visually impaired in the Vatican Museums. A poignant and unique experience, all Museum visitors will now be able to touch this masterpiece created by the genius of Michelangelo and recognize the face of the Virgin Mary and her child Jesus.
Guests from Italy and around the world, including the United States, France, Monaco, Finland, Poland, Algeria, Turkey, Switzerland, Australia and Denmark witnessed a splendid occasion embraced by the voices of angels and the miracle of art.
This extraordinary and memorable evening, organized by the Italian and International Patrons Leaders, Sabrina Zappia and Amy Gallant Sullivan, was opened by the Eminent Cardinal Lajolo with the unveiling of the Madonna di Bruges. Father Mark Haydu, International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Musuems introduced and thanked the Fonderia Marinelli in Florence, together with Ronald and Susan Welborn, Patrons from Texas, who donated this exquisite and historically important sculpture.
The evening continued with a visit to the restoration laboratories, where guests viewed the original casts of Bernini’s angels and learned about their history and refurbishment. Guests were further enchanted and mesmerized by the choir’s performance in the Sistine Chapel.
The Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is a non-profit organization of benefactors dedicated to the restoration, conservation and perpetration of the vast, unique and priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums. The Patrons of the Arts have collected funds to restore some of the most famous art treasures in the world, including but not limited to Michelangelo’s Pauline Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartments and the frescoes on the side walls of the Sistine Chapel. The Italian & International Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums also support Art Access projects that sustain, design and plan art and educational tours for the blind, the deaf and for people with disabilities in general. This type of tour is unique in its kind in Italy and allows everyone to access and benefit from unrivalled spiritual and artistic experience.
For information please contact:
Italian & International Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums
Chapter Leaders:
Amy Gallant Sullivan amy@vaticanpatrons.it
Sabrina Zappia presidenza@vaticanpatrons.it
Press Office info@vaticanpatrons.it
To organize a tour for the visually impaired in the Vatican Museums please contact isabella.salandri@scv.va
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IN ITALIANO
