Conservation of Piranesi Prints
Description and Significance
The Lobkowicz Collections contains an extensive group of twenty-six 18th-century prints of views of Rome, of both the ancient and modern ages, by the celebrated Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720‒1778). Throughout his lifetime, the artist created numerous prints depicting the Eternal City; these were widely collected by gentlemen on the Grand Tour.
The group on display in the Piranesi Room at the Lobkowicz Palace Museum in Prague was acquired by Ferdinand Joseph, 8th Prince Lobkowicz (1797‒1868), while in Italy in 1820.
Current Condition
The Piranesi prints suffer from so-called “acid burn”, a condition caused by the acidity in the paper on which they are mounted. Left untreated, the acid of the backing paper will continue to migrate into the paper fibers of the prints themselves, causing irrevocable damage.
Project Details
As of 27 February 2012, funding for twenty-one of the twenty-six prints has been secured. Lobkowicz Collections, o.p.s. continues to seek contributions for the conservation of the remaining five prints.
Conservation work will see the prints removed from their current backings and remounted onto acid-free paper. Light restoration work, such as the removal of marks or blemishes, will also be performed.
Task: Conservation and light restoration of the 26 prints
Cost: 3.500 CZK / 139 EUR / 182 USD (per print)
Duration: 3 months
