Modena, the Guercino stolen in 2014 ready to return home. Restoration nearly finished

The restoration of the Madonna with Saints John the Evangelist and Gregory the Wonderworker, the masterpiece by Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri; Cento, 1591 - Bologna, 1666) painted between 1629 and 1630 that had been stolen in 2014 from the church of San Vincenzo in Modena, is nearing completion. Traces of the work were lost for three years: it was found in February 2017 in Casablanca, Morocco, but in the meantime the canvas had suffered extensive damage, affecting 30 percent of the surface. Returned to Italy in July 2017, the painting underwent an inevitable restoration a few weeks later directed by Maria Grazia Gattari of the Soprintendenza di Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Ferrara(Finestre sull’Arte had conducted a long interview for the occasion in which the damage and interventions were explained in detail).

Making the announcement of the imminent end of the restoration work (which will be completed in April) was Prosecutor Lucia Musti this morning, together with Modena Mayor Giancarlo Muzzarelli and Colonel Stefano Nencioni and Major Giuseppe De Gori of the Carabinieri of the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale. Before returning to the church of San Vincenzo, however, the painting will be on display in Rome from May 3 to July 4, 2019, in an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale. The exhibition will take place at the Quirinale, and Guercino’s work will be the “star” of the show.

Meanwhile, the perpetrator of the confessed theft, Mustapha Tahir, 34, was given a two-year suspended sentence, with sentencing handed down in February following a plea bargain. Tahir was charged with the crime of multiple grand theft in conspiracy with unknown persons: however, it is inconceivable that the man acted completely alone. Therefore, details remain to be clarified, but the most important result, the discovery of the work, has been achieved: the painting will therefore be able to return to the church of St. Vincent in excellent condition.

Satisfaction on everyone’s part: prosecutor Musti expressed the city’s sentiment, declaring himself proud of the fact that the work, before returning to Modena, will pass through the Quirinale, while the diocese of Modena affirmed that finally, after the Roman exhibition, the work will finally be able to return and be visible to all again.

Image: Guercino, Madonna and Child with Saints John the Evangelist and Gregory the Wonderworker, detail (1629-1630; oil on canvas, 293 x 184.5 cm; Modena, San Vincenzo)

Modena, the Guercino stolen in 2014 ready to return home. Restoration nearly finished

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