One of the masterpieces of baroque sculpture, Stefano Maderno’s statue of the dead Saint Cecilia in the church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere in Rome has been restored by Italian professionals with funding from make-up giant Estée Lauder. Cleaning and restoration of the many small cracks and fissures on the statue’s surface have restored its luminous quality. The statue, carved of antique Parian marble by the young Stefano Maderno at the end of 1599 shows Cecilia’s body lying prostrate, with a gash in her neck, after being executed, said to be the exact position in which her body was found in the catacombs. She extends three fingers, her final defiant affirmation of belief in the Trinity.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Estée Lauder makeover for Santa Cecilia'