LET’S SAVE BERNINI’S MASTERPIECE: THE BUST OF FRANCESCO I D’ESTE, AT THE GALLERIA ESTENSE IN MODENA

Now you can really join and protect the extraordinary Italian artistic heritage, unique in the world.
Take care of it and bring home a part of Italy! 

Last May, the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy was hit by a devastating earthquake. The damage to the region’s artistic and cultural institutions was extensive, and many have yet to reopen to the public. The Galleria Estense in Modena, which houses an incredible collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, is one such institution. The gallery cannot reopen until certain protective measures are put in place. 

This fundraising initiative has been organized in the U.S. by Friends of FAI, at the request of FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano, which has committed to support this project undertaken by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, in conjunction with the “2013: The Year of Italian Culture in the United States.” 

The collected money will be used, in particular, to develope and install an anti-seismic pedestal to safeguard the most precious masterpiece of the Galleria Estense: the 17th century bust of Francesco I d’Este, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  This innovative technology will protect the work from future earthquakes, and until it is installed, the sculpture may not be displayed to the public.

Nowadays, indeed, the sculpture is hedged in a big wooden box and nobody can see it. In cooperation with a team of qualified experts of the IUAV University of Venice, we are working on an innovative seismic isolating device system based on the theory of the double pendulum. Essentially, the anti-seismic pedestal diminishes the strength coming from the ground to the piece of art, therefore securing it from destruction.

We need to raise $60,000 for the project. But we cannot do it alone. We hope you will contribute to this important cause, and enable the public to once again enjoy this beautiful and significant work of art. 

Your generosity will be recognized by important sponsors who will send you exceptional products from the Made in Italy portfolio, or will invite you to experience unique opportunities in Italy. Alcantara, Berlucchi, Seguso, Aceto Balsamico del Duca, the Enzo Ferrari Museum, the "Luciano Pavarotti" Teatro Comunale of Modena, and the Modena Football Club have already joined the initiative along with important figures in the art and culinary world, including world renowned chef Massimo Bottura, celebrated artists (and lifelong friends of Luciano Pavarotti) Mirella Freni and Raina Kabaivanska, and Piero Ferrari, the son of the great Enzo Ferrari. Pick up your gift and contribute now!

If you donate 50 dollars or more, your name will be carved on the anti-seismic pedestal of Bernini’s sculpture, and will become, forever, a part of the History. 

The word of mouth communication is the most important asset for a fund-raising campaign: this is especially true for a crowd-funding online campaign. We have made it our task to let people know how important their help could be to protect the Italian Cultural Heritage and we hope that they could join us in this effort aimed to defend this goods for the next generations.

You may visit our Facebook open group and suggest it to all your friend. More, you can help us spreading this campaign to all your contacts.

It’s your chance to do something concrete to give back to the whole world one of the most important sculptures of all the times.

Sponsors of This Campaign