News & Events
Please join us on a four semester journey of faith and beauty that will take you behind the scenes to explore the history of provenance, patronage, and restoration of the Vatican Museums collection as never before recounted by the Curators themselves.
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Posted on October 9, 2020
The Astile Cross is part of a collection of thirty-seven objects – including processional and altar crosses, altar cards, chalices, monstrances, incense boat, holy water fonts – contributed to Carlo Barocchi’s generous personal gift to Pope Benedict XVI.
Sold by the Pope to the Vatican Museums (June 2007), the precious silvers enrich the collection of the Decorative Arts Department. From the moment of the acquisition, the department prepared an inventory, accurate photographic campaign and the revision of the conservation status of all the artifacts, including a structural verification, cleaning and restoration interventions.
The processional cross in embossed silver and gilded copper (Tuscan silversmith, XV century?), with crucifix in silver fusion (XVIII century) and polylobed elements without decoration, is one of the ancient liturgical furnishings of the Carlo and Lucia Barocchi Collection (Florence).
Posted on July 13, 2020
Father Lixey and his staff have been working hard to keep the Patrons informed and engaged during this world-wide crisis.
Although, we as Patrons, cannot physically go to Rome and visit the Museums or engage in any local Patron activities, Father Lixey and the New York Chapter have created a 4-week virtual lecture series available to our Patrons, “Raphael and His World,” led by Professor Elizabeth Lev.
If you are interested, please see the PDF in this link for details of the Zoom meeting. We hope you can join us in this wonderful lecture series!
Posted on April 25, 2020
We are pleased to announce the completion of our current restoration project! The wonderful statues and objects in the Chiaramonti Gallery Wall XIV have regained their beauty and splendor thanks to the generosity of our Chapter.
The works of art were treated with cleaning methods aimed at the specific type of problem. Here are some pictures of the restoration process and the final result:
Posted on March 8, 2020
On Sunday, December 8, the DC Patrons held a local event with a VIP Tour of the Bible Museum in Washington, DC.
The tour was highlighted with the unveiling of a sculpture created by Timothy Schmalz entitled “Silent Night”. Tim focuses on religious figures and also has many public pieces. One was recently installed at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and another at St. Matthew’s Basilica in Washington, DC.
The tour continued with a visit to the exhibit Inventors of the Alphabets from the Vatican Library. This is the first time they have been displayed outside the Vatican Walls.
Our next stop was The Tapestry of Light: Intersection of Illumination. This exhibit shows a contemporary glow-in-the-dark tapestry of epic scale using the Book of Revelation for inspiration. This unusual work of art was created by artist Dr. Irene Barberis over a period of 20 years.
A new exhibit is The Picture Books of the Past, a collection of paintings from the 14th to 19th century. The medieval Church used pictures as a tool to convey Bible stories. The curator did an outstanding job of pointing out key images enabling the viewer to “read” and understand the paintings.
Following a brief coffee break, our day concluded with a visit to Washington Revelations, an exciting 4 minute “flight” through the Nation’s capital pointing out the Bible’s influence on American Culture.
The Bible Museum is located at 400 4th Street, SW, and welcomes all denominations and all who believe in the Bible.
Please see the Bible Museum Image Gallery for pictures of our wonderful tour.
Posted on December 17, 2019
The Patron’s Annual Dinner was held December 7th at the Apostolic Nunciature, graciously hosted by His Excellency, Archbishop Christophe Pierre.
The evening began with a delightful cocktail party and a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
CEM Martin welcomed everyone, including special guests:
His Excellency, Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pierre, and
Father Kevin Lixey, International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums.
His Excellency welcomed our group and had kind remarks for our patronage to the Vatican.
The slate of officers for 2020 was proposed to the group and they were unanimously approved:
President: CEM Martin
Vice President: Art Lohsen
Secretary: Judy Martin
Treasurer: Ron Marchessault
After a lovely three-course meal, we were inspired by remarks made by Father Lixey, explaining the importance of the Patrons to the Vatican Museums and the crucial role they play in the restoration and preservation of the countless treasures in the Vatican. There is so much that has been accomplished, but the long list continues for many years to come! Therefore it is very important that we continue to fulfill our mission with our members.
President, CEM Martin, encouraged the members to consider serving on committees or the Board, to become more involved, and to help us to grow our chapter in the coming year.
Judy Martin presented the 2020 Chapter Trip to Rome and invited everyone, including family and friends, to consider joining the trip in May. The deadline for reservations is January 30, 2020. Please see the website for details.
Thank you to everyone who attended! It was a wonderful evening and we were delighted to share it with you.
Please see the Annual Dinner 2019 Image Gallery for some pictures of the event!
Posted on December 16, 2019
The Washington Chapter of the
Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums
has arranged a private tour of the
Museum of the Bible
Sunday, December 8th
1:45 pm
Patrons and their guests will have the opportunity for a VIP tour of the Museum of the Bible.
Due to space limitations, we must limit the tour to the first 20 to respond.
The tour will take approximately 2 hours. We will meet at the Museum of the Bible,
400 Fourth Street, SW in Washington DC.
An entry fee of $35 includes entry to the Museum, the private tour, the Revelations Ride, and refreshments in the Members’ Lounge following the tour.
Please make your payment via check or via our website prior to the tour.
May 23 – 28, 2020
The DC Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums is pleased to offer a Chapter Trip to Rome and the Vatican Museums
Picture yourself here with only 25 people!
Upon arriving on May 23rd, you will have 6 nights at the Albergo Santa Chiara Hotel and a week filled with a variety of events, concluding with our beautiful evening featuring a visit to the Sistine Chapel followed by a private formal dinner in the Museums.
The Santa Chiara Hotel is a small, comfortable hotel, located directly behind the Pantheon and walking distance to many famous landmarks, offering a complimentary breakfast each morning. If you have a favorite hotel, you can simply pay the Tours and Events fee, but must meet the group at the Santa Chiara Hotel for all activities and transportation.
All are welcome…. please share this with your family and friends! However, each participant must be a member of the Patrons to travel with this group, therefore you must renew or join in January 2020 (See our website: WashingtonPatrons.org for membership details).
Please take a moment and look at the itinerary and information attached in this link: 2020 Chapter Trip Brochure.
Please also note, there is plenty of free time to enjoy the city on your own.
The reservation deadline is January 30, 2020, at which time you will be asked to send a $300 non-refundable deposit.
We must have a minimum of 25 people register to make the trip. If we do not meet the quota, your $300 will be refunded.
To see pictures of our past Chapter Trip on 2018, please Click Here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Judy at jgmartin1231@aol.com
Thank you so much for your consideration. We hope you can join us!
Posted on November 2, 2019
CHIARAMONTI GALLERY WALL XIV
With your ongoing generosity and support of the DC Chapter, the Board
of Directors has adopted a new project.
With some remaining funds for 2019, the Board selected The Chiaramonti
Gallery Wall XIV as a restoration project at a cost of 25,400 Euros.
Seven artworks are exhibited in front of Wall XLV in the Chiaramonti Gallery. It is a wonderful project and the restoration is already ongoing as the Director of the Vatican Museums requested the Bust of Trajan for an exhibition in Belgium which was unveiled two weeks ago. The entire wall is expected to be completed by January 2020.
For more details and pictures of the project, please Click Here.
Thank you again for your generosity which enables us to restore and preserve art for generations to enjoy!
Posted on October 31, 2019
The Washington, D.C. Chapter was honored to be asked to host the annual North American Leaders meeting, which was held at the Mayflower Hotel on September 13 – 15, 2019.
Leaders from 16 states and Canada were present, along with Father Kevin Lixey, Msgr. Terence Hogan, Dr. Barbara Jatta (Director of the Vatican Museums), Sara Savoldello (Rome Office Manager), Romina Cometti (Restoration Projects Manager) and Denise Molitsky (Coordinator for the North American Office).
We all gathered to discuss the vision for the coming year with new marketing and branding ideas, a computer program to help interact with all the Patrons, and the challenges of fundraising for the larger projects, as well as how to continue to grow the Patrons in North America.
Father Kevin remarked “There was truly a spirit of family, collegiality and collaboration that was quite remarkable. Many voiced their concerns and challenges and also some bright initiatives and possible solutions that may help us going forward.”
Dr. Jatta spoke about how the Museums operate financially and how the Patrons are vital, not only for art restoration and preservation, but also the capitol improvements needed like air conditioning, etc. to preserve the art that is already on display.
It was a successful weekend with those attending working as a team to further the mission of the Patrons.
Photos coming soon!
Posted on September 29, 2019
