Giotto's Saint Francis goes digital
Touch-screen panels to explain Assisi fresco cycle
09 April, 18:46
(ANSA) - Assisi, April 9 - The glorious colours and
meticulous detail of a famous fresco cycle by Renaissance father
Giotto are spotlighted in a new initiative getting under way
this Sunday in Assisi.The Umbrian town is focusing on a series of 28 paintings depicting the life of St Francis, in commemoration of the 800-year anniversary since the saint set out the key principles of his order, the Rule of St Francis. The St Francis Cycle, located in the Upper Church of the Assisi Basilica, is famous for its naturalistic style and is considered one of the founding works of modern art. Detailed new explanatory boards will be unveiled on Sunday at the fresco itself, designed to give visitors a more in-depth understanding of both the saint and the artwork. But the focus will be on a stunning virtual reconstruction of the cycle opening at the newly restored Palazzo Del Monte Frumentario. Entitled Giotto Com'Era (Giotto As He Was), the high-definition reconstruction is the result of months of research by the Central Restoration Institute.
Its creators have sought to reproduce the fresco as it would have appeared when freshly painted in an environment designed to resemble the basilica. The fresco is now so fragile and has been so altered by time and human intervention that restorers say this is the only way viewers will ever get a true sense of its original glory.
A number of touch-screen panels in different parts of the site provide comparisons between the high-definition 'original' and its current appearance, while another section of the exhibition will allow visitors to 'enter' the fresco.
The poster image of the initiative, showing Pope Innocent III officially approving the Rule of St Francis, has been transformed into a full-scale three-dimensional installation. The life-sized scene depicts animated characters, including the pontiff welcoming the saint and his followers, which react to the movements of visitors 'entering' the image.
Back at the Basilica, the Giotto initiative will also give visitors to the Chapel of St Nicholas a chance to experience the live restoration of other Giotto works in the Lower Church. Extensive scaffolding footbridges will allow the public to study restorers at work, learning about their techniques and seeing the original artwork up close.
La Basilica di Assisi tra Restauro e Restituzione Virtuale (The Basilica of Assisi, Restoration and Virtual Reconstruction) runs from April 11 until September 5.
