Painting conservator Elizabeth Wicks will share her process for her restoration of the ceiling painting Allegory of Inclination, created for Michelangelo’s home, now the Casa Buonarroti Museum in Florence. This work, completed in 1616 by the 22-year-old artist Artemisia Gentileschi, the most celebrated female painter of the 17th century, was the first frontal female nude ever painted by a woman artist. Using herself as a model, Gentileschi’s allegorical figure depicted ‘the natural talent for creativity.’ It was later considered overtly risqué and about fifty years after the work was painted, the Buonarroti family called in a well-known Italian Baroque artist, Il Volterrano, who censored the work by painting over the figure with drapery and veils.

Utilizing scientific analysis and modern technology, Ms. Wicks was able to reveal how the original painting looked. She will describe the methodology and her journey in discovering the mystery in this masterpiece.

Following Elizabeth Wick’s talk, RISD Professor Bill Drew will explain and show each step in the techniques of pure egg yolk tempera, egg-oil emulsion, and the Venetian method of oil painting. The purpose of his demonstration is to illustrate the complex nature of the techniques that challenge art restorers such as Ms. Wicks.

Date: Sunday, November 17

Time: 1 PM - 4 PM

Location: Providence Art Club

Address: 11 Thomas Street Providence, RI 02903

Admission: Register Here