Awash in Ancient Art
Italy Continually Springs Surprises

by Alma Ortolan, Alma Ortolan Studio

From the point of view of the arts, Italy is unique in the world and justifiably promoted as an almost obligatory destination by travel agencies. That’s because it is so easy for most tourists to appreciate that famous country’s towns and magnificent monuments. The artistic richness there is endless and often, to the delight of many, still awaiting discovery.

Every day new masterpieces are brought to light. Emblematic of that is case of the Siena Cathedral  where a large fresco, painted around the year 1270, was recently found under the floor of the central nave. It was so well preserved that it was possible to find the gold plating that normally disappears from the surface of such a ancient murals; even the colors are still bright.

Organizing to Save the Past

Over the past 10 years in my profession as a mural painting conservator, I have discovered paintings dating back more than seven centuries, from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. My last project, which is still in progress, was the conservation of a little church in the countryside near Venice where I brought to light a fresco painting from the beginning of the 16^th century attributed to a student of Leonardo da Vinci.

The discovery of a new fresco is never an easy task, especially because its importance may be enormous. Not only does the newly found work represent a potentially great contribution to the history of art, it can tell us about styles and techniques that we might otherwise lose over the passage of time. In this way, as the knowledge of the past becomes a part of our present, we help ensure that the tradition of painting will endure throughout the centuries.

Italy has so many monuments that it is almost impossible to provide individual attention to every object of art in need. Moreover, there is a chronic lack of financial and personal resources. These are the reasons why we, as a group of art professionals devoted to the study, preservation and conservation of our cultural heritage are promoting a unique study-abroad program. Our workshops are designed for those who want to expand their knowledge about Venetian arts of fresco and conservation, while having a wonderful Italian experience. Attending these activities are students of many nationalities, with diverse cultural backgrounds, sharing the desire to have a formative and aesthetic experience in a place that is unique in the world.

The organization, called Ortolan Studio, is located in Serravalle (today known as Vittorio Veneto), about 30 miles north of Venice, at the foot of the Alps, and not too far from  the place where Titian was born. It is part of Treviso, a province whose borders are only 10 minutes from Venice and Padua by car, and just few hours from Milan or Vienna. Often called “the colorful province,” Treviso is rich in fresco paintings that can easily be seen and admired in historical centers, villas and castles. In fact, fresco painting is such a common means of decoration in Treviso that most of the province’s private houses and public buildings bear frescoes on their façades.