RESTORATION OF PALMA VECCHIO’S PAINTING

Belgrade, 7 October 2005 - The restoration of the painting ”The Holy Family with Saint Katherine, Saint John and a Donor” of Jacopo Palma Il Vecchio, Venetian painter from the break of 15th and 16th century, a part of The Royal Collection of Karadjordjevic family, was announced today at a news conference at the Italian Embassy.

His Excellency Italian Ambassador Antonio Zanardi Landi, Mr. Dragomir Acovic, member of The Advisory Bodies of the Crown, Mr. Alessandro Bianchi, professor of the Central Institute for Restoration in Rome and coordinator of the restoration project, and Tatjana Cvjeticanin, director of The National Museum in Belgrade addressed the journalists.

Ambassador Zanardi Landi said that he was happy because the manifestation “Italia in Belgrade 2005” has established not only business connections between our two countries but those cultural as well.

“This project is realised with the cooperation of Republic of Serbia, The National Museum and The Royal House of Crown Prince Alexander with Italian National Institute for Restoration,” he said.

Professor Bianchi said that during the restoration project, Italian experts would give numerous lectures to their Serbian colleagues “not only on the restoration of the paintings on the wooden background (which is the case of Palma Vecchio’s painting), but also on the other types of restoration.”

Mr. Acovic said that that this master piece has been a part of The Royal Collection for about 80 years. The painting was acquired in England during the reign of The King Alexander I Karadjordjevic.

“This project marks the beginning of numerous restorations of other pieces from the collection of The Royal Palaces which would make those works accessible for public, “said Mr. Acovic reminding all that in cooperation with The National Museum HRH Crown Prince Alexander established the Art Council that took responsibility over the art collection of The Royal Compound.

“HRH Crown Prince Alexander II expressed his deepest gratitude to the Embassy, the Institute, The National Museum and all the others who unselfishly worked in order to get this restoration started,’’ Mr. Acovic said.

Professor Tatjana Cvjeticanin, who will take over the painting after it leaves the Embassy on 12 October, said that the restoration would start in The National Museum in January 2006 in continuation of a long term cooperation between our and Italian experts but she could not say for how long it would last.