Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The restorations of the Chapel of Mary at the Temple
The Sacred Mount of Oropa, declared as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by Unesco in 2003, is constituted by 17 chapels decorated with polychromatic terracotta statues, 12 of which depict the life of Mary. The statues of the Chapel of Mary at the Temple were realized by P.G. Auregio and the painted background frescoes by G. Galliari; both works begun shortly after 1711. The scene depicts a group of maidens in the Temple of Jerusalem, reading or tending to domestic chores under the watch of their tutor. The garments of the 44 characters appear realistically smooth, the drapery finely detailed. The Madonna is portrayed in the apse in front of the entrance, seated to work and surrounded by graceful cherubs. The scene is remarkable for its vivacity and liveliness, further enhanced by the episode of the fight between two maidens in the right apse. The beauty of this sculptures has returned thanks to the restorations works started in 2017
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The sculptures and the decorations were partially altered during the repainting made in the 70's.
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
In 2017, for the first time, it was possible to carry out a project to restore the statues. By removing the repainting of 1970, the original colors of the 17th century have re-emerged
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
In this image we can recognize three coloring phases of the statue
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Thanks to the restoration, the original paintings of the 17th century re-emerged
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The statues were damaged also because of the humidity rising from the ground
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Thanks to the restorations, now they have returned to their original beauty
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Virgin Mary before restoration
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Virgin Mary after restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The teacher before restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The teacher after restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Before the restoration the faces of the statues were devoid of expression
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
During the restoration the faces found their natural expression
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
A maiden before restoration
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The same maiden after restoration
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
In the Seventies the original colors of the statues were changed
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Now the beauty of the original colors is back
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The fight between two maidens before the restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The same maidens after the restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
Group of maidens tending to domestic chores, before the restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
The group of maidens after restorations
Chapel of Mary in the Temple (1662/1720) by Sculptor: P.G. Auregio. Painter: G. GalliariSantuario e Sacro Monte di Oropa
During the restoration, the signature of the sculptor Auregio has been found
