50 years on, the wooden panel depicting the Last Supper, one of Giorgio Vasari’s most important works, seemingly damaged beyond repair by the flood of 4 November 1966, was returned to the Cenacle at Santa Croce in Florence at an event attended by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella. Restored by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence with Prada’s support, it once again took up its original position inside the refectory on the symbolic date of 4 November.
In his speech, Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group, encouraged all Italian companies to be public-spirited and, with a sense of national pride, to support the reconstruction and the restoration of the artistic heritage severely damaged by the earthquakes which stroke central Italy in the past weeks; Patrizio Bertelli also underlined how bringing the Last Supper back to life – a challenge that once seemed virtually impossible – was only possible with the support of private companies and institutions.
Patrizio Bertelli’s words were greatly appreciated by the President of the Republic, who thanked the Prada CEO personally for his contribution.
Vasari’s the ‘Last Supper’ restored with Prada’s backing
