Restoration project revealed imperfections in marble.
The restoration of Michelangelo’s Bandini Pietà at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Florence’s cathedral museum, has been completed.
Researchers working on the marble sculptural group, on which Michelangelo worked from 1547 to 1555, found numerous microfractures in the marble which they believe forced Michelangelo to abandon the work.
During the first months of the restoration, which began in late 2019, visitors were able to observe restorers at work on a specially-built stage installed around the base of the sculpture, which was completed when the Italian High Renaissance master neared the age of 80.
