The Museo Diocesano Tridentino formally presented the completed restoration of a 15th-16th century wooden sculpture depicting the Madonna adoring the Child on November 26, 2025. This unveiling concluded conservation work on the artwork, which is stylistically linked to Veronese production and shows similarities to the workshop of Antonio Giolfino.
The restoration process was distinguished by an "in view" approach, conducted openly to ensure public transparency throughout the delicate recovery phases. The specialized laboratory, Stefano Gentili - Conservazione e restauro di beni culturali, executed the complex intervention to stabilize the damaged piece.
The sculpture’s history includes significant trauma, beginning with its theft in 1975, after which it was recovered near the Adige river in a compromised state. Subsequent exposure to atmospheric elements and prior, ill-advised conservation attempts resulted in severe structural deterioration and substantial loss of the original polychromy.
The artwork is believed to have originated in the church of Besagno before being moved to a votive shrine maintained by the Moiola family in the same locality. Devotional sculptures of this type served as central points for community religious life, underscoring the importance of this recovery effort.
Key stakeholders in this successful heritage recovery included the specialized laboratory, Museum Director Domizio Cattoi, Museo Diocesano President Michele Andreaus, the Moiola family, and financial backing from the Lions Club Trento Host. The leadership affirmed that this intervention reflects a fundamental commitment to safeguarding the cultural and religious identity embedded within the community’s memory.
The collaborative model—involving the donating family, a sponsoring organization, and expert conservators—demonstrates a viable pathway for protecting regional sacred art assets. The public nature of the restoration aligns with contemporary cultural heritage management trends that emphasize public education alongside physical conservation.
