Baptism of Christ
Artist: Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta
Date: 1570-1575
Classification: Painting
Dimensions: 250 x 155 cm
Materials: Oil on wood
Adopted By: The Northwest Chapter
Description
HIGH PRIORITY PROJECT
Girolamo Siciolante (Sermoneta 1521 - Rome 1575) painted the large altarpiece of the Baptism of Christ around 1570-1575. This altarpiece was a donation to Pope Gregory XVI from the Lateran Palace. Before coming to the Museums, the painting would pass through the Pinacoteca Lateranense (1844), the Pinacoteca di San Pio X (1908), the Pinacoteca di Pio XI (1930-1935), the Matilde Chapel in the II Loggia (1962) and the Appartamento Pontificio di Rappresentanza in Castel Gandolfo (1964). This altarpiece is an exemplary work of the last phase of this well-known painter from Sermoneta, characterized by an austere classicism, monumental figures attributed to Michelangelo’s influence, and a landscape close to that of the Flemish Bril brothers.
TOTAL COST: € 36.350,27 ($ 35,528.75)
Restoration Procedures
-
Cleaning of the pictorial surface altered by oxidized and uneven varnish
-
Removal of altered retouches and plastering of the gaps
-
Pictorial reintegration and varnishing
-
The frame needs to be redone
Detail
Inventory N°: 40343
Artist: Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta
Date: 1570-1575
Dimensions: 250 x 155 cm
Materials: Oil on wood
Wishbook year: 2023
Baptism of Christ - Final Restoration Report
Restoration Procedures
The restoration of the altarpiece depicting the Baptism of Christ by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta (1521-1575), a work of great artistic and historical importance, has recently been completed. In parallel with the conservation work, the 15th and 16th Century Art Department (Dr. Fabrizio Biferali and Dr. Francesca Parrilla) conducted in-depth archival research to shed light on previously unknown aspects of the painting's history.
The master restorer, Marco Pratelli, worked on this painting for over two years (2023-2024), starting by removing the heavy layers of varnish and organic glues that had completely altered the original coloring of the painting. The final operation of meticulous pictorial reintegration made it possible to fully recover the artist's refined painting, achieved both by glazing and with fuller layers of color. After this remarkable restoration, the altarpiece has finally found a new home in Room XI of the Pinacoteca, where it can be admired by the public in all its splendor.
Baptism of Christ
Details
Adopted by: The Northwest Chapter
Patrons: Rick and Lisa Altig
Inventory: 40343
Artist: Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta
Date: 1570-1575
Classification: Painting
Materials: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 250 x 155 cm
Museum: Pinacoteca
Department: XV-XVI Century Art
Laboratory: Painting & Wood
Wishbook year: 2023
Description
HIGH PRIORITY PROJECT
Girolamo Siciolante (Sermoneta 1521 - Rome 1575) painted the large altarpiece of the Baptism of Christ around 1570-1575. This altarpiece was a donation to Pope Gregory XVI from the Lateran Palace. Before coming to the Museums, the painting would pass through the Pinacoteca Lateranense (1844), the Pinacoteca di San Pio X (1908), the Pinacoteca di Pio XI (1930-1935), the Matilde Chapel in the II Loggia (1962) and the Appartamento Pontificio di Rappresentanza in Castel Gandolfo (1964). This altarpiece is an exemplary work of the last phase of this well-known painter from Sermoneta, characterized by an austere classicism, monumental figures attributed to Michelangelo’s influence, and a landscape close to that of the Flemish Bril brothers.
TOTAL COST: € 36.350,27 ($ 35,528.75)
Restoration Procedures
-
Cleaning of the pictorial surface altered by oxidized and uneven varnish
-
Removal of altered retouches and plastering of the gaps
-
Pictorial reintegration and varnishing
-
The frame needs to be redone
Media
Baptism of Christ
Restorations Update: Baptism of Christ - Final Restoration Report
Restoration Procedures
The restoration of the altarpiece depicting the Baptism of Christ by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta (1521-1575), a work of great artistic and historical importance, has recently been completed. In parallel with the conservation work, the 15th and 16th Century Art Department (Dr. Fabrizio Biferali and Dr. Francesca Parrilla) conducted in-depth archival research to shed light on previously unknown aspects of the painting's history.
The master restorer, Marco Pratelli, worked on this painting for over two years (2023-2024), starting by removing the heavy layers of varnish and organic glues that had completely altered the original coloring of the painting. The final operation of meticulous pictorial reintegration made it possible to fully recover the artist's refined painting, achieved both by glazing and with fuller layers of color. After this remarkable restoration, the altarpiece has finally found a new home in Room XI of the Pinacoteca, where it can be admired by the public in all its splendor.
© 2026 Patrons of the Arts
in the Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums V-00120,
Vatican City State (Europe)
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