The work in question is an imposing oil on canvas painting (measuring approximately 2.80 × 1.60 m) by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, better known as Guercino, created in 1662. Currently housed in the Casa Professa Museum in Palermo, the altarpiece depicts the "Apparition of the Virgin to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga" and originates from the high altar of the chapel dedicated to the saint in the same church. The authenticity of the work has been confirmed by in-depth recent studies.
The work is in a critical state of conservation: the canvas shows visible chromatic alterations due to oxidized varnish and numerous retouches both above and below the finish. The surface shows deformations, tears covered by unprofessional fillers, pictorial lifting, concave deformations in the lower section, and significant stresses that compromised the integrity of the painting.
The restoration project, after careful photographic and cataloguing documentation, involved transporting the work to the chapel of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga to ensure maximum safety of the support during the restoration. The restoration phases include pre-consolidation of the paint layers, chemical-physical and biological investigations to understand the original materials and techniques, consolidation, cleaning, and pictorial reintegration, using up-to-date methodologies. Fondazione Sicilia has provided the total budget of €25,000, which will be used for the restoration of the work. The fundraising campaign has been successfully completed, and the work is currently underway, with part of the costs already covered.
Overall, the project aims to restore the work's historical, aesthetic, and spiritual value, making it once again accessible and admirable within its original context.
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