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Restoration Of Paintings Of The Diocese

The office for cultural Heritage of the Diocese Rossano–Cariati , directed by father Nando Ciliberti, thanks to the support given by the Commission for the Architectural and Landscape heritage, in Cosenza returns to their churches some canvases, after an accurate restoration work. Mainly paintings belonging to the Cathedral, were given back on 20 April by the enterprise Tecla Fucilla from Castrolibero (Cs), that restored the artworks.
In 2009 the Commission of cultural heritage, promoted a temporary workshop in the premises of the auditorium Santa Chiara, not far from the cathedral, open from 9th September. Mainly for the extraordinary value, not only artistic, but also cultural and spiritual of the artworks, we decided not to separate them from their original location, creating thus a temporary workshop, first time ever in Calabria, strongly wanted by the superintended dr. Fabio de Chirico.
The long restoration work gives new light and importance to the Cathedral, not only because the painting of the right nave and the chapels now are brand new, but because from the restoration work new details and information were obtained. In particular, the painting with Saint Benedict, in the first chapel on the left, is now clearer after the restoration. Besides, the signature of the artist Oronzo Malinconico was discovered, a painter very active in Naples at the end of the XVII and beginning of the XVIII c. probably the painting was commissioned by mons Andrea Adeodati, bishop of Rossano from 1697 to 1713, he was also Neapolitan and belonged to the order of the Benedictines. Also the canvases of saint Lucy, the Madonna of mount Carmel, the Madonna of Graces, the Madonna with the patron Saints, Daniel in the den of lions. In the sacristy six canvases with the passion of Christ and saint Nile and Bartholomew.
On the little door of the Cathedral, a roundel almost destroyed, in the diocesan museum of sacred art the canvases of Saint Jerome and the Ascension – particular attention was given to the canvas representing our Lady of sorrows, in the third chapel of the Cathedral, after the restoration the name of the archbishop mons. Muscettola (1718-1738), that commissioned the painting, was found. The canvas with the Magdalene is about to be given back. Along with the canvases of the Cathedral and those of the diocesan museum, another stock has been returned by the enterprise Cartusia S.r.l of Salerno.
The artworks given on 26 April , have given prestige to the canvases Madonna of the Rosary, the Immaculate the Holy Trinity, saint Michael Archangel, the Redeemer, the Assumption, saint Anne, saint lucy belonging to the church of saint francis of paola, in corigliano and the crucifixion of the chuch of saint Nile and the Immaculate and saint John the Baptist of Saint Bernardino in Rossano
In the church of Saint Francis, in Terranova of sibari, the paintings: saint Michael Archangel, the crowning of the Virgin and the Holy Trinity were given back. Thanks to the precious help of the committee for cultural heritage and the director, dr. Rosanna Caputo, and the resources now the churches are now enriched again by their masterpieces, which are a witness of cultural spiritual and liturgical heritage.
The office for cultural heritage of the Diocese Rossano - Cariati, has completed the inventory of the CEI,
Including artworks and architectural heritage, inscribing 5.600 pieces among paintings, sculptures, sacred garments and furniture, and also 142 churches of the Diocese have been cataloged.
The Diocesi Rossano-Cariati has been the first in this hard cataloging activity. The precious job, directed by father Nando Ciliberti, director of the office of cultural heritage, was carried out by Dr. Michele Abastante and Dr. Carmen Belmonte, by the architect Giuseppe Astorino. Scientific supervising has been given by Prof. Giorgio Leone, art historian, and by the architect Mario Candido.