Madonna and Child

Abstract

In a niche to the right of the entrance of Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio in Rome is a statue of the Madonna del Parto (Our Lady of Childbirth) by Jacopo Sansovino (1486–1570). Commissioned by Giovanni Francesco Martelli, a Florentine merchant, in 1516, the carving of the statue began in 1518 and was completed in 1521. It is set within an arched niche adorned with blue-veined marble and a gilded shell. Above the statue, an epigraph reads, Virgo, gloria tua partus ("Virgin, childbirth is your glory"), reflecting its veneration by expectant mothers, particularly after Pope Pius VII (reigned 1800–1809; 1814–1823) established the cult of the statue in 1822. Over the centuries, the Madonna del Parto became a site of devotional offerings, including pink and blue ribbons, baby announcements, jewellery, and other tokens. In the twentieth century, Mary's left foot was silvered to cover the heavily abraded surface. Such offerings, combined with the accumulation of physical contact, candle wax, smoke, and perfumed oils, gave the statue a polychrome appearance despite its original monochrome design. However, following a six-month conservation campaign completed in 2023, the statue was returned to its monochrome state. Conservation was carried out in three phases under the direction of the Soprintendenza Speciale Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio di Roma and funded by Intesa Sanpaolo. First, an in-depth diagnostic study identified the contaminants penetrating the marble and causing extensive orange-brown stains. Then, organic solvents and microorganisms were applied to remove inconsistent substances. Finally, laser instrumentation was used to eliminate gilded layers and other surface contaminants. The campaign also addressed extensive damage caused by devotional practices. Decorative elements such as a silver belt on Madonna’s dress and a silver skirt on the Christ Child, added in the nineteenth century, were removed. Abrasions and scratches on the marble, caused by metal hooks used to affix crowns, necklaces, and other ornaments, were carefully treated. Surrounding features, including the gold leaf on the two angels in the tympanum, were also restored. The conservation efforts used innovative "bio-restoration" techniques, employing bacteria cultivated in the Laboratorio OEM dell’Enea to safely eliminate surface discolouration without harming the marble. This cutting-edge approach restored the legibility and aesthetic integrity of Sansovino’s work. The statue continues to be celebrated on October 9 during the five-day Feast of the Madonna of Childbirth. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.