November 1, 2009

Sassetta's Borgo San Sepolcro altarpiece, reconstructed

Sixty paintings once adorned the altarpiece of a Franciscan church in the small Tuscan town of Borgo San Sepolcro. View illustrations from the modern-day reconstruction.

From The November-December 2009 Issue

Sassetta: The Borgo San Sepolcro Altarpiece, a new book edited by art historian and Villa I Tatti fellow Machtelt Israëls, details the reconstruction of a "lost" Italian Renaissance altarpiece. Below, view images from the recent virtual restoration. To read more, see the main article, "Masterpiece Pieces."

Reconstruction of Sassetta’s Borgo San Sepolcro altarpiece, front view.

Reconstruction of Sassetta’s Borgo San Sepolcro altarpiece, oblique front view with its full piers, altar, and altar steps.

Reconstruction of Sassetta’s Borgo San Sepolcro altarpiece, back view.

Reconstruction of Sassetta’s Borgo San Sepolcro altarpiece, oblique back view with its full piers, altar, and altar steps.

Credit for all images: Reconstruction by Machtelt Israëls, James R. Banker, Roberto Bellucci, Rachel Billinge, George Bisacca, Ciro Castelli, Cecilia Frosinini, Christa Gardner von Teuffel, Babette Hartwieg, Elisabeth Ravaud, Andrea Santacesaria, Carl Brandon Strehlke, Dominique Thiébaut, Serena Urry et al. Three-dimensional drawing by Andrea Santacesaria, Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Florence. Rendering by Giacomo Tenti, Culturanuova, Arezzo. © Villa I Tatti, The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies.

Published in the November-December 2009 print issue under the headline “A Masterpiece Reconstructed,” in the section.

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