The document summarizes the history and conservation of Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It describes how the ceiling was originally decorated in the 15th century, Michelangelo's commission to paint the ceiling in 1508, and the buon fresco technique used. It then discusses the early deterioration of the frescoes from structural issues and pollutants over centuries. The major Vatican restoration from 1980-1989 is outlined, including cleaning and consolidation methods used to restore the ceiling. The restoration was controversial and debated by art historians.

1. The Restoration of The Sistine Ceiling

2. History of the Sistine CeilingSistine Chapel built 1477-1480 by Pope Sixtus IVCeiling originally decorated with starry firmament in gold and ultramarinePope Julis II commissions new ceiling decoration from Michelangelo in 1508Work begins July 1508 and finishes October 1512Pope Julius II Ordering Bramante, Michelangelo and Rapahel to Construct the Vatican and St Peter’s, Horace Vernet, 1827, www.1st-art-gallery.com

3. Buon Fresco: Plaster PreparationProduce lime (CaO) by burning calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with wood in a kilnSlake lime with water to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)Mix lime with sand or pozzolana (volcanic ash) to form intonacoSpread intonacoover arricciolayerCa(OH)2 reacts with CO2 and lime reverts to CaCO3From top: CaO (product-image.tradeindia.com), slaked lime (www.shivamchemicals.in), and pozzolana (www.easybonzai.it)

4. Buon Fresco: Wall PaintingWhile intonacois still wet, cartoon of design is transferred onto the wallPigments mixed with water applied and allowed to dry with plasterPentimenti(corrections) applied a secco(dry)Pigments mixed with animal glue, egg yolk or resin Detail, ‘The Creation of Adam,’ 1510, http://msopal29.myweb.uga.edu/BeforeandAfter.html

5. Early DeteriorationUnstable underlying soil1504, South wall bows outGiulianoda Sangallo inserts iron rods into vault and under floorSalt efflorescence and mould outbreak in 1509 (‘The Flood’)Candles, incense burners, braziers, etc used during and immediately after completionGiovio describes lunettes darkening in 1525 and further salt efflorescence in 1546

6. The Deterioration Continues Nearly 500 years of burning candles and Papal electionsPast conservation / cleaning effortsInner-city pollutants (sulphur, nitrogen, chlorides)Thousands of daily visitorsMicroclimate rises by around 5°CConvective current carries dust to fresco surface‘Daniel,’ 1511, upload.wikimedia.org

7. Conservation Prior to 19801543, office of mundator(cleaner) created by Vatican1565-71, DomenicoCarnevale plasters and repaints sections1625, SimaneLagi dusts and scrubs with slices of bread1710-12, AnnibaleMazzuoli cleans with Greek wine and sponges 1904, Louis Seitz seals and consolidates plaster1920s-30s BiagioBiagetti undertakes further consolidation1964-74, DeoclecioRedig de Campos cleans frescoes on side walls1975, vault made water proof

8. The Vatican Restoration: PreparationAround April 1980, Papal Museums, Monuments and Galleries’ Laboratory for the Restoration of Paintings begins study of frescoSurface explored with daylight, quartz lamp, UV, IR and sodium monochromatic lightPlaster samples tested at Vatican’s Scientific Research Laboratory using IR spectrometry, thin-layer chromatography, liquid chromatography and absorption spectrophotometry (pigments)

9. Conservation Procedure, 1980-1989Wet cleaning with AB57, ammonium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate and 10% solution of Desogen suspended in a carboxymethyl cellulose gel. Applied for three minutes, rinsed with distilled water. 24 hours later the process was repeated.Salt efflorescence treated with AB57 to which dimethylformamide was added, then rinsed with distilled waterDetail, ‘Joel,’ 1509, http://msopal29.myweb.uga.edu/BeforeandAfter.html

10. More Conservation Procedure Consolidation of loose intonacowith Vinnapas (PVA-PVC terpolymer of ethylene) and of a seccopassages with Paraloid B72 3% in organic solventInfilling of gaps and cracks with stucco romano (mixture of lime, marble dust or grit)Inpainting of missing passages with watercolours applied in vertical brushstrokes Detail, ‘The Creation of Adam,’ 1510, http://msopal29.myweb.uga.edu/BeforeandAfter.html

11. Controversy Writ LargeThe Vatican Conservators Team The James Beck CornerJames Beck, www.artsjournal.comVatican conservator cleaning ‘Jonah’ (1511), photograph by VittorianoRastelli, media-2.web.britannica.com

12. Primary IssuesEurope vs AmericaScience vs Art HistoryMannerist colourvsterribilitáBeck claims glue layer was original, l’ultimamanoFeldman claims chiaroscuro and definition was removedMancinelli and Colalucci claim a seccotouches limited to the lunettesGlue layer added during prior restorationsDetail, ‘Azor and Zadok,’ 1512, lunette, www.students.sbc.edu

13. ‘Ancestors of Christ,’ 1511, upload.wikimedia.org

14. Detail, ‘Ignudi,’ 1510, http://msopal29.myweb.uga.edu/BeforeandAfter.html

15. Not at all. Paint the back wall next, will you, old chap?That wasn’t so hard…T H A N K Y O U