by Redazione 07/11/2026
Categories: Ancient art / Disclaimer
A conservation campaign launched in 2025 has restored the visibility of 59 works at the Albergo dei Poveri in Genoa, including statues, busts, and medallions depicting benefactors and figures linked to the institution’s history. The restoration was sponsored by the Friends of Genoa Foundation with support from the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation.
In Genoa, the restoration of 59 sculptures in the Monumental Area of the Albergo dei Poveri has been completed. The project, sponsored by the Friends of Genoa Foundation and made possible by a donation from the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation, involved 50 statues, 7 busts, and 2 medallions located throughout the historic complex. The project, which began in March 2025 and continued through mid-2026, restored the clarity and the material and expressive qualities of the works, some of which underwent restoration for the first time.
The sculptures are located in the church, the narthex, along the staircases, in the hall, and in the building’s corridors. Created between the 17th and 20th centuries, they bear witness to Genoa’s artistic and civic history through portraits of benefactors, nobles, and prominent figures who contributed to the institution’s founding and development. The complex includes works attributable to some of the leading figures of the Genoese school of sculpture, including Francesco Maria Schiaffino.
Commissioned in the mid-17th century by Emanuele Brignole, the Albergo dei Poveri is one of the city’s most imposing historic buildings and stands as a testament to the tradition of solidarity and generosity that has characterized Genoa’s history. Its sculptural heritage forms a sort of gallery of figures linked to the institution’s history, and preserving these works also allows for a deeper understanding of the complex’s social history.
Before the restoration work began, the surfaces of the sculptures showed deposits that had accumulated over time, color changes, small gaps, cracks, and flaking—conditions that partially obscured the sculptures’ details. The restoration was entrusted to Sara Davolio Marani, Daniela Tasso, Matilde Garré, Francesca Olcese, and Francesca Ventre, who adopted a conservative approach, respecting the original materials and minimizing intervention. The work included cleaning the surfaces, consolidation, filling in the gaps, and selective color restoration.
The work made it possible to restore the material and formal qualities of the works, bringing to light details and expressive features that, in some cases, had long since become illegible. For some sculptures, this was the first conservation intervention. The project was made possible by a donation from the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation, which partnered with the Friends of Genoa Foundation, sharing its goal of contributing to the restoration of the Albergo dei Poveri for the city. The initiative is part of an effort to enhance the complex, which in recent years has been progressively strengthening its cultural mission. The restoration of the sculptures is, in fact, a significant step toward a deeper understanding of the building and the future use of its museum spaces.
Founded in 2022, the Friends of Genoa Foundation works alongside the public administration to revitalize the city and promote its artistic, cultural, and human heritage. Its activities include restoration projects for monuments and works of art, the promotion of international cultural events, advanced training for young people, and initiatives related to sustainability and technological innovation. The goal is to enhance Genoa’s appeal and foster its development, while also restoring its historic role in international trade.
The Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation was established in 2017 on the initiative of Paolo Clerici, with the support of Coeclerici S.p.A. It promotes cultural and social projects dedicated to the preservation of historical and artistic heritage, the promotion of Italian excellence, and support for communities. Its areas of focus include restoration, cultural initiatives, the preservation of historical memory, and support for the nonprofit sector.
Statements
“Genoa has given so much to my family and to our entrepreneurial history. My wife Giuliana and I feel a desire to reciprocate this bond through initiatives that reflect our values,” says Paolo Clerici, president of the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation and vice president of Friends of Genoa. “The sculptures at the Albergo dei Poveri depict people who chose to dedicate a portion of their wealth to the common good: a testament that, as an entrepreneur, particularly resonates with me. We wanted to support its restoration because we believe that the success of a business also brings with it the duty to contribute to the life of the community. This is the spirit with which we established our Foundation and which guides our decisions.”
“The Albergo dei Poveri is a place deeply rooted in the history and identity of our city, as well as one of the most significant symbols of Genoa’s philanthropic tradition. With this project, we wanted to help rediscover its value, restoring its central role and visibility,” comments Carlo Perrone, president of the Friends of Genoa Foundation. “We believe that preserving our heritage is a shared responsibility and that collaboration between philanthropic organizations and institutions can yield concrete and lasting results. The contribution of the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation was crucial to bringing this project to fruition, demonstrating just how important it is to unite expertise, sensitivity, and resources around a common goal. We hope that this achievement will encourage the continuation of the initiative we’ve launched, involving new supporters and partners to keep showcasing the extraordinary treasures of our city.”
“Returning 50 statues, 7 busts, and 2 medallions to the city is an achievement that fills us with pride and gratitude,” states Marco Sinesi, special commissioner of the Emanuele Brignole ASP. “The Albergo dei Poveri was founded thanks to the generosity of Emanuele Brignole and many benefactors, whose faces are sculpted into these works: it is particularly significant that, centuries later, it is once again generosity that restores their beauty. For this reason, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Friends of Genoa Foundation, which promoted and guided this restoration project, and to the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation, whose donation was instrumental in bringing it to completion. Their gesture demonstrates that Genoa’s tradition of philanthropy is alive and well and continues to generate value for the entire community. Thanks also go to the restorers, who, with great expertise and respect for the original material, have brought to light details that had long since become illegible. This project is an important step in the rebirth of the Albergo dei Poveri, which we want to be increasingly open, accessible, and enjoyed by the people of Genoa and by those who come to discover our city.”
“The restoration of the sculptures at the Albergo dei Poveri is a tangible achievement for Genoa and for all of Liguria. Enhancing this site means preserving our identity and investing in the cultural future of the region,” stated Marco Bucci, President of the Liguria Region, and Simona Ferro, Vice President of the Liguria Region with responsibility for Universities, Culture, and the Performing Arts. “We thank the Friends of Genoa Foundation and the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation for the crucial donation that made this possible. Their commitment demonstrates how a connection to one’s city can benefit the entire community. This is the kind of teamwork needed to help Liguria grow: bringing together expertise and resources, with clear goals and tangible results. This restoration represents an important step in the rebirth of the Albergo dei Poveri. Continuing to promote it means enhancing our region’s appeal and offering new generations opportunities to learn about their history and, building on that foundation, shape their own future.”
“The Albergo dei Poveri,” comments Giacomo Montanari, Genoa’s Councilor for Culture, “preserves, to this day, the city’s most impressive and substantial collection of sculptures in terms of both quality and quantity, second only to the Staglieno Cemetery and, unlike the latter, spanning a chronological range from the 17th century to the early 20th century. The comprehensive restoration of a large part of this incredible collection offers a concrete opportunity to restore to citizens and visitors not only the faces and life stories of those who helped shape the civic and cultural history of our city, but also works of art of extraordinary value, created by artists active throughout Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Take, for example, the exuberant medallion depicting Marc’Antonio Grillo, carved in marble by Giacomo Antonio Ponzanelli—the foremost pupil of Filippo Parodi and the creator of the magnificent altar of relics in the Basilica del Santo in Padua. Furthermore, the scientific rigor of the restorations and the generosity of the Friends of Genoa Foundation and the Paolo and Giuliana Clerici Foundation provide us with a virtuous example of shared preservation: an alliance between institutions and private individuals that preserves memory and reactivates it as a driving force for regeneration for the entire Albergo dei Poveri complex and for Genoa’s cultural offerings."
 |
| Genoa: 59 sculptures at the Albergo dei Poveri Restored Thanks to Two Foundations |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.