Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Restoration Uncovers Centuries-Old Frescoes, Including Risqué Nudes, at Rome's Villa Silvestri Rivaldi

A significant restoration project is underway at the 16th-century Villa Silvestri Rivaldi in Rome, aiming to revive the neglected palazzo and its art.

The Villa Silvestri Rivaldi, built between 1534 and 1547, has a rich history, serving as a residence for cardinals and noble families before being converted into a convent, factory, and later a welfare institution and school. It fell into disrepair and was largely forgotten.

A roughly $40 million project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Lazio region, is now underway to restore the villa. The initial phase focuses on structural repairs and cleaning the extensive frescoes.

The frescoes, some attributed to painters from the school of Raphael, depict pagan histories, Catholic iconography, battles, and religious figures. Advanced techniques like laser cleaning are being used to refresh the artwork.

Conservators are uncovering previously hidden images of nude gods and goddesses. These figures were painted over by nuns and church leaders in the 17th century when the building was a convent, due to their perceived risqué nature.

Previous attempts to uncover these hidden frescoes in the early 2000s were unsuccessful due to a lack of funding and the building being owned by a religious order.

The villa's more recent history includes periods of squatting by musicians, with graffiti from this era being discovered. The site also has a history of political activity, including a kidnapping.

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