The conservation of Giovanni Labus's Scuplture of Bonaventura Bavallieri (1844) and Antonio Galli's Sculpture of Carlo Ottavio Castiglione (1855)

In this project a cleaning intervention of the neoclassical statues in the Brera Academy courtyard was performed with the use of living microbial cells. These living organisms, belonging to the species Desulfovibrio vulgaris, were able to remove chemical alterations, mainly caused by sulfates, from the stone surface of the statues. The method has been chosen because it is highly efficient, respectful to the original material, the environment and the restorer operating it. Thanks to the microorganism’s selectiveness, it was possible to remove only the harmful alteration of the stones, respecting the so-called “noble patina” a key element in art pieces. Considering the precarious state of conservation of the handsbelonging to the statue of Carlo Ottavio Castiglione, a 3D (Rilievo 3D) survey was taken.