Detail of The Meeting of Dante and Virgil, 1546–49. Wool, silk, tapestry weave, Courtesy of Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Behind the Threads: Restoring a Renaissance Tapestry
An inside look at the conservation of a rare Renaissance tapestry and the challenges of preserving fragile textile heritage
Overview
This panel brings together experts in conservation, scientific research, and curatorial practice to explore the challenges of preserving historic textiles. At its center is The Meeting of Dante and Virgil (c. 1546–49) by Francesco Salviati, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which has not been displayed since 1959 due to its fragile condition. The restoration is supported by the TEFAF Museum Restoration Fund.
The discussion highlights the technical and ethical complexities of conserving large-scale textiles, including material degradation, structural stabilization, and strategies for safe display. Curatorial perspectives shapes the conversation, highlighting the intersection of interpretation, presentation and restoration. This case study illustrates how careful, collaborative conservation enables fragile works to return to public view while deepening our understanding of their historical and artistic significance.
TEFAF Talks are interactive panel discussions exploring today’s most fascinating topics in the worlds of art, antiques, and design. Paired with leading content partners, these talks showcase the knowledge of leading experts in the broader TEFAF community. This talk is presented in partnership with ICOM-CC and moderated by Carolyn Riccardelli, member at ICOM-CC.
Panelists
