When did you join the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and how did you first become involved?

It was back in 2011, I lived in NYC and worked as a tour guide at The Met. A friend, who knew of my passion for learning more about art and art history at any given opportunity, invited me to a presentation of an art book written by the Director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, Fr. Mark Haydu. I was beyond excited! For me and others, the Renaissance is one of the most inspiring periods in human history. I was happy to have the chance to listen to a person who led the organization daily and preserved the vast and unique collection of this period.

 

What made you decide to become a Member of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums?

At the end of a brilliant lecture on the Angels at the Vatican Collection, I introduced myself to Fr. Mark. Our conversation explored the mission of the Patrons Organization. “The generosity of the people who have contributed to the preservation and restoration over the years have made it possible to preserve the beauty of art from centuries ago, and to share it with each new generation'' - said Fr. Mark. He also added - '' The Church has always used art to demonstrate the wonder of God's creation. Beauty unites us and will save us, as Dostoevsky said. Beauty must, therefore, always, and in any case, be preserved and conserved. The next time that you are in Rome, please come and visit the Vatican Museums. You will be delighted to find that the Museums open their doors to people from all over the world as a place of dialogue between cultures and religions''.

Needless to say,  I soon found myself in Rome, and I met the Patrons office staff.  I was amazed to discover that the Vatican Museums are a dynamic museum where ancient tradition and state-of-the-art restoration laboratories find perfect synthesis in presenting an extraordinary legacy of culture, history, and beauty.

That day, I had another long conversation with Sabrina and Romina. They explained to me, in detail, about the different collections of the Museums - Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, Roman, Christian, Painting, and Decorative Art. They also discussed the legacy of great Renaissance Masters, such as the ''Raphael Rooms'' and the Sistine Chapel. Throughout my life, I have admired professionals. Sabrina and Romina's devotion and deep knowledge about collections and technical innovations were so contagious that I wanted to become part of this cultural institution's mission.

 

What have you enjoyed the most about being a Patron?

Since then, I am on a never-ending Journey of Faith and Beauty, which takes me and other Patrons behind the scenes of the Vatican Museums to witness many unforgettable moments within its Restoration Labs and Libraries. Every time I see newly restored frescoes or paintings, old statues or wooden panels, once dull and damaged, and now so colorful and luminous, it catches my breath and my spirit and nearly transports me to another dimension.

 

Are there particular artworks or galleries that are special to you?

In recent years, I witnessed great restoration sites such as the Sistine Chapel, the Pauline Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, the Constantine Rooms, the Borgia Apartment, the Gallery of Maps, the Gallery of Candelabra, the Ducal Hall, and the Holy Stairs return to their original glory. Such achievements were made possible thanks to the collaboration of experts like curators of different departments, the Conservator Office, the Scientific Restoration Laboratory, and restorers from seven laboratories that specialize in several fields of expertise.

 

How has art had an impact on you, your family, or even your community?

I am a great believer that we all have a deep need for culture, beauty, and recollection of the past. In times of crisis, we need it more than ever.

Cultural memories remind us of who we are, give us inner richness, hope, and creativity. We need Museums for our souls. Therefore, I believe that it is crucial to give voices to those who tirelessly save beauty for us, day after day. It is also essential to offer them a place to share their ideas, research, and conclusions.

 

Why did you decide to sponsor the publication of the Preventive Conservation in Major Museums catalog?

To preserve and share is the precise and determined principle and intention of the many specialists at the Vatican Museums. Additionally, the Vatican Museums carry out many initiatives in collaboration with other institutions. The conference that discusses strategies on Preventive Conservation in Major Museums is an example. Directors and professionals from all over the world worked in synergy to create a platform with proposals for degradation prevention that developed monitoring protocols and maintained the historical-artistic and archeological heritage.

The publication on Preventive Conservation is an important multi-voiced document, and I feel deeply fulfilled by sponsoring this project.