What Is the Raphael Loggia, the Vatican Masterpiece Being Restored After 500 Years?
Artnet News reports that the Raphael Loggia—an ornate 213-foot-long corridor in Vatican City’s Apostolic Palace decorated with frescoes designed by Raphael—is undergoing its first major restoration in about 500 years. The Vatican Museums and the World Monuments Fund are undertaking a five-year project funded by Steven A. Schwarzman’s philanthropic foundation, with $14.5 million donated overall and $5.5 million allocated specifically to restoration, while the remainder supports documentation, digitization, and education. The loggia was added under architect Donato Bramante in 1512 and painted by Raphael’s students to his specifications in 1519 for Pope Leo X; it was originally open-air before stained-glass windows were added in 1813 by Antonio Canova, which reportedly worsened deterioration by trapping heat and humidity. Chief restorer Paolo Violini said the team will use “dry” cleaning methods and lasers, informed by trials on the sixth bay conducted in 2019–2020 and again in 2023–2024.
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This story was covered in Pride Provocations and a Vatican Revival