Masterpieces
What lies behind the works of art that we admire in the great museums of the world? What secrets do they hide?And what is the best way to bring them to life again while remaining faithful to the artist’s original intention?
Dianne Dwyer Modestini, restorer of the much publicized Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, Salvator Mundi, provides a fascinating window on to the worldof art and restoration, with a carefully compiled and supplemented volume of the memoirs of her late husband and prominent restorer, Mario Modestini.Filled with extraordinary anecdotes and painstakingly researched chronicles, Masterpieces will appeal to a wide range of readers, from restoration professionals, to arthistorians, interested amateurs and the simply curious.
A remarkable life, rich in experiences, encounters and professional fulfilment.A rare insider’s insight into the technical aspects of restoration and the world of art history.A unique opportunity to view the schools and masterworks of European art with the eye of a great restorer.A journey through history: discovering how the events and tragedies of the war years affected not only Modestini’s life but the entire art world.
Dianne Dwyer Modestini holds an MA in art conservation from the State University of New York as well as an honorary doctorate from Fairfield University. She is a renowned restorer of Italian paintings and was on the staff of the Paintings Conservation Dept. of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has been a consultant for The S.H. Kress Foundation. She is Research Professor at the Conservation Center of the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU.
