Selected as a 2019 Bank of America Art Conservation Project grant recipient, the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields will restore a tapestry in collection called the “Miraculous Draught of Fishes” based on a design by Raphael.
This 400-year-old tapestry, woven after a design by Raphael, is a rare and important work from the Italian High Renaissance. The pattern for the tapestry, one of 10 in a series known as the ‘Acts of the Apostles,’ was commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X to decorate the Sistine Chapel.
The IMA’s tapestry was created ca. 1630 by the esteemed Brussels weaver, Hendrick Mattens. It measures 62.25 in. x 195.25 in. and has a rich history of exhibition both at the IMA and the Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University.
Between these two above venues, the tapestry was on nearly continuous display for approximately 50 years, until 2011 when the artwork was deemed unexhibitable due to structural and aesthetic concerns resulting from continuous exposure to light and gravity.
“This remarkable tapestry is one of the crown jewels of the Clowes Collection here at the Indianapolis Museum of Art,” said Dr. Charles L. Venable, The Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO at Newfields. “We are so grateful to the Clowes Fund for the gift of this rare and extraordinary example of Renaissance art and for the generosity from Bank of America that allows us to conserve this masterpiece.”
With the grant, the tapestry will be documented at Newfields with high-resolution photography and state-of-the-art dye analysis. The dye analysis will explore at least 50 different samples to understand what dyes were used almost four centuries ago and which fibers might be contemporary repairs.
The tapestry will be cleaned to remove grime from years of display. This will be achieved using aerosol suction that was developed and patented by De Wit in 1991. Support fabric will be custom dyed to match the tapestry, and this fabric will be stitched to the back of the tapestry to strengthen the weakest areas. The textile will be lined with a custom dyed linen fabric, which will be attached to the tapestry in approximately 300 places in every square meter.
Once the analysis is complete, the tapestry will be prepared for shipment to Belgium where De Wit Royal Manufacturers of Tapestry will complete the conservation treatment.
For more information, see: www.discovernewfields.org.