A painting for Pope Francis
On May 30, 2018 Bottega Tifernate had the privilege of a private meeting with Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta. The prestigious occasion was created following the making of the art film "Caravaggio, the Soul and the Blood," produced by Sky and Magnitudo Film in collaboration with Vatican Media, which was a great success with audiences and critics and adds to the strand of Sky art films dedicated to the great Italian artists known and admired around the world such as "Raphael - The Prince of the Arts" and "Michelangelo - Infinity," in cinemas in October, which sees the collaboration of both Vatican Media and the Vatican Museums. Bottega Tifernate participated in both projects, making copies of the paintings for the fictional scenes.
We were able to explain to the Holy Father about pictography, how we work to construct a work, the effort we employ to rediscover ancient techniques that have now been lost. All this in front of a pictography reproduction in oil on canvas by Caravaggio, "The Vocation of St. Matthew" made for the wall of the hall of Casa Santa Marta.
A work begun in February and carried on by several hands to be on time with the appointment. The work was done through the use of techniques and materials used by the artist for the original.We used white lead to give the whites an unparalleled shine (this substance repels light more than any other earth) and we applied the blacks in several layers according to his manner to make them even deeper.
Thanks to the invaluable willingness on the part of the people in charge of San Luigi dei Francesi, we were able to work inside the Contarelli Chapel, in front of the painting: first, a high-definition photographic shot of the work was taken.
Subsequently, during the painting phase, it was possible to proceed with an in-depth comparison of the copy with the original under the same light conditions.This allowed us to verify not only the details and forms but above all the chromatic differences that were adjusted on the spot.In this way, an exceptional result could be obtained and the painting, although on a scale, allows one to enjoy the emotions that one feels in front of a Masterpiece of such magnitude.
Pope Francis has always had a predilection for Caravaggio, and in particular for the Vocation of St. Matthew, which he would go to contemplate in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi ever since he stayed in Rome as a Cardinal. A painting that also encapsulates the meaning of the motto he chose for his Pontificate, "Miserando atque eligendo."