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In this section of the exhibition the results of   the investigating techniques and restoration conducted for the exhibition itself on all sculptures belonging to the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore and a large part of the works exhibited are illustrated. Some restoration and diagnostic enquiries were conducted by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and by the Istituto per la Conservazione e la Valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali of the CNR di Firenze , while other operations have been financed by the National Committee of the 7th Centenary of the   death of Arnolfo di Cambio , by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore and by the Associazione per il Restauro del Patrimonio Artistico Italiano ( ARPAI ) . continues...

Preparation for the exhibition provided the opportunity for conducting a series of diagnostic enquiries and restoration of the works to be exhibited.   Cleaning and analysis conducted by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence on six sculptures, amongst which the extraordinary Madonna of the Nativity belonging to the original facade of the Cathedral of   Santa Maria del Fiore, and which are kept in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo , have provided the opportunity not only of being able to provide complete legibility of these works but also to acquire significant data concerning previous restoration work and techniques used.   The use of photography in UV fluorescence has furthermore meant that some traces of organic material which could point to treatment conducted in the past and the presence of an original polychromy were identified.
Particular attention was paid to the stone and glass used in a number of reliefs and to a series of mosaics which were also part of the old facade.   Analysis conducted by the ICVBC-CNR , Istituto per la Conservazione e la Valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali di Firenze , produced significant results concerning the various qualities of marble used, some of which were without doubt reused, as well as the composition   of the mortar and glass. Similar investigation was also undertaken on the   Dormitio Virginis in the Berlin State Museum, of which a cast is kept in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
Finally, non-destructive dignostic enquiries were conducted on the statue of Boniface VIII and led to identification of the system used to assemble the various pieces of marble employed in its creation.

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