The final phase has kicked off for the
restoration of the iconic Sala delle Asse of Milan's Castello
Sforzesco.
The restoration has reserved a number of surprises including the
discovery of a large Monochrome by Leonardo da Vinci, the
portion of a decoration representing mulberry plants that had
remained hidden under layers of lime plaster.
After years of work, the municipal administration approved the
restoration of the castle's most famous room, an exceptional
record of the presence of Leonardo (1452-1519) at the Sforza
Court.
The restoration is expected to cost 1.6 million euros - funded
by the Milan municipality and Cariplo Foundation - and should be
completed in 2026 in time for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The iconic room owes its name to the wooden covering that was
used at the time of the Sforzas to make the temperature more
comfortable.
Formerly painted with heraldic motifs for Galeazzo Sforza, under
Ludovico il Moro it was transformed by Leonardo who worked on
the room between 1497 and 1499.
In the original project conceived by the artist, the room's
walls needed to magically 'disappear' showing, under a huge
pavilion of vegetation with 16 dark mulberry trees, a landscape
with rocks, a few homes, a church and a bell tower
Over the years, the 15th century building's room was transformed
and at one point became a stable for horses with the walls
covered by layers of lime that hid its treasures.
At the end of the 19th century, architect Luca Beltrami
renovated it, repainting the ceiling's vaults and alcoves.
The current restoration work went through different phases.
Exploratory research began in 2006 leading up to the actual
restoration which kicked off in 2013 with work carried out on
Leonardo's monochrome and the discovery of preparatory drawings
of the decoration project featuring the huge pavilion supported
by mulberry plants.
In 2015 the restoration process was halted so the room could be
open to the public during the six-month-long Universal
Exhibition, as well as in 2019, when the work of researchers and
restorers stopped during celebrations to mark the 500th
anniversary of Leonardo's death.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
