As recent research has confirmed, the MIA’s statue of a Hermit Saint—acquired in its altered position in 1973, and attributed to Francesco Mochi—was indeed carved over a century later than originally believed. It was the aim of this project to restore the statue to its original position and to restitute it to its rightful place in the history of Italian art by clearing up its attribution, original setting, and provenance.

The exhibition contextualized Baroque sculpture and enhances the public’s perception of and relationship to the sculpture by (1) examining the history and cultural moorings of Baroque sculpture, (2) telling the story of the quest for the work’s provenance, (3) explaining the traditional iconography of early Christian hermit saints, (4) illuminating the process of sculpture conservation, and (5) discussing the importance of art conservation.

Saint Paul the Hermit: Restoration and Rediscovery Web site »

This exhibition is supported by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Generous support for restoration provided by the Friends of the Institute.