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PINOCCHIO!

February 2016 - Vatican Museums' Contemporary Section

We cannot tell a lie, we were charmed by the idea of restoring Pinocchio!

In 1953, VenturinoVenturi (LoroCiuffenna 1918 - TerranovaBracciolini 2002) participated in the international competition for a Monument to Pinocchio, organized by Carlo Collodi National Foundation for the park dedicated to the famous marionette. From 1954 to 1956, Venturi worked tirelessly to complete his Piazzetta, which was to be at the center of the small park, where he intended to build an inornate “monument”, one which he hoped would give an emotional feeling to those who would come to Pinocchio’s park.His Pinocchio has one arm raised and his face tilted back, accentuating his funny nose. The bust was meant to be completed by the body of the puppet and would have been placed in such a way that the hand could mark the passage of time, casting its shadow on the ground.

Venturi’s Pinocchio arrived in the Vatican Collection in 2004, as a gift from the artist’s granddaughter, Lucy Fiaschi. The entire surface of the work was covered in dust. Some areas were damaged and altered by dust and oxidation. The restoration process included a complete makeover and cleaning with scientific research, dust suction, micro-dust suction and the reparation of cracks.

After 200 hours of restoration, Pinocchio is expected to return on display in December 2016 in the Contemporary Art Museum in the Vatican.