Six years after the initial lighting system was created for Michelangelo's La Pietà by iGuzzini, the company has returned to improve the illumination of this iconic artwork, located in the Chapel of the Crucifix within St. Peter's Basilica.
This is part of preparatory works for the 2025 Jubilee. The updated lighting system aims to enhance both the visibility and protection of the sculpture.
The chapel, which houses La Pietà , underwent several upgrades, including replacing the protective glass installed in 1973, after the artwork was damaged in a hammer attack in 1972. The new system consists of nine shatter-resistant, bulletproof glass panels, offering improved transparency and better protection. Additionally, the glass in the large arched window behind the sculpture was replaced with higher-performance glass to reduce reflections.
The lighting system originally installed in 2018 was dismantled to accommodate the new design. iGuzzini introduced their new Sipario floodlight, specially developed for cultural heritage settings. This luminaire offers a high Colour Rendering Index (CRI97) and features such as Step MacAdam 2, ensuring accurate and consistent illumination of the sculpture's intricate details.
Lighting designers Guido Bianchi and Nicoletta Rossi revisited their 2018 design to integrate the new system. The Sipario floodlights, controlled via a KNX system, are arranged to create four distinct lighting scenarios. The first scenario, known as the North (sculpture focus), uses floodlights to highlight the sculpture's contours without overpowering the chiaroscuro effects. The East scenario, also referred to as the light blade, features a narrow beam that creates sharp contrast, with reflections enhancing the marble's gleam and offering an emotional impact. In the South (full light) scenario, light intensity is increased for special events, ensuring the sculpture is clearly visible from the central nave. The West scenario, or daily light, provides a balanced setup for everyday viewing, illuminating the sculpture's plasticity and enhancing the viewer's experience.
The updated lighting design aims to improve the sculpture's appreciation while maintaining its theological and devotional significance. Visitors will now be able to admire the artwork through the protective glass from both near and afar. This project exemplifies how lighting can contribute to the preservation and understanding of art in cultural spaces.
More information:
iGuzzini
www.iguzzini.com