Venice reunites Vasari’s masterpiece after 200 years of dismemberment

Over 40 years ago, officials in Venice initiated a search for the pieces of a nine-panel ceiling painted by Giorgio Vasari during the 16th century. This ceiling, commissioned by Giovanni Corner, depicted the 'Triumph of Virtues' and was disassembled after the Corner family line ended in 1798. The panels were scattered across Europe, appearing in various private collections and auction houses in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Britain. The reassembly of the ceiling was a complex endeavor, described by the director of the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Giulio Manieri Elia, as a 'treasure hunt.' The search was guided by Vasari's own descriptions of the artwork found in his writings, which proved invaluable in identifying the missing pieces. Some recoveries were serendipitous, such as a panel recognized in an Architectural Digest article. The culmination of this effort occurred last month when most of the ceiling was finally reassembled in Venice's Gallerie dell'Accademia. This event coincided with the 450th anniversary of Vasari's death, marking a significant moment in the preservation of Venetian art history. The successful reassembly of the ceiling not only restores a vital piece of cultural heritage but also highlights the importance of historical documentation in art recovery. The project underscores the dedication of Italian culture officials to reclaim lost artworks and the collaborative efforts that can lead to remarkable recoveries. The return of Vasari's masterpiece serves as a reminder of the enduring value of art and the stories it tells about the past.