70 years after the first heavy restoration, the symbolic monument of Piazza Martiri, in the heart of the city, was in need of a good cleaning. Thus, the bronze statue of Vittorio Emanuele II on horseback, the first king of Italy, is packed in a construction site. The restoration should be completed in a couple of months to restore a work of art of extraordinary cultural value to the city. The intervention, under the direction of the Superintendency, is made possible by the sensitivity of Confartigianato enterprises which with Ancos (National Association of Sports Communities) finances the enterprise with 30 thousand euros. «The initial idea was to secure one of the two lateral bronzes of the monument. After the Municipality had already provided for the other – says the director of Confartigianato Imprese Piemonte Orientale, Amleto Impaloni – Then, with the Superintendency, and given the availability of Ancos, a substantial intervention on the monument was decided ».
The work is entrusted to the “Gabbantichità” Art and Restoration studio of the architect Donatella Gabba from Tortona. The construction manager Vincenzo Basiglio and the restorer Paola Contardi work on the construction site, making use of the collaboration of some Novara artisans. To plan the intervention, special equipment was used such as videomicroscopes which highlighted the degree of encrustation and oxidation of the bronze. «Essential operations – says the director – to then intervene with very small cutters that we use as brushes».
But in what conditions did you find the monument? “I thought better, but there are no serious compromises. Meanwhile, let’s say that statues of this size, cast in bronze, are a rarity. The sculptor’s expertise denotes great skill. He worked a lot of cue to make the horse “vibrate”. The statue had already undergone a major restoration. Alongside a strong oxidation of the metal and residues produced by atmospheric pollution, we have detected melting “blanching” already integrated with the addition of tin ».
How are you intervening? «With the micro-cutters we go to remove the superficial level of oxidation up to the patina of the sculptor. Once the cleaning is complete, we intervene with protection using special products capable of inhibiting corrosion ». Seen closely, you can appreciate the details. The finishes of the horse, the sword, the frogs of the uniform, the helmet with the plume. And the manicured mustache. The same ones who, in World War II, were “sawed up for contempt” by the fascists when they removed the 9-ton statue, seriously damaging it.