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The Restoration of Ancient Sculpture in The Renaissance: Ecology, Materiality, And Play
Rockey, Tyler Hancock
Rockey, Tyler Hancock
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2025-08
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Art History
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Rockey_temple_0225E_16251.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.34944/t2a6-nq29
Abstract
This dissertation explores the multifaceted practice of restoring ancient sculptures during the Renaissance, with an aim of more greatly contextualizing the practice by considering it in relation to ecology, materiality, and the continued play with fragments and fragmentation within collection spaces. The research highlights the diverse ways ancient sculptures were utilized, including being collected, destroyed, partially restored, or completely reworked into something novel. It examines the ecological and geographic factors influencing the discovery and restoration of antiquities in Rome, providing greater emphasis on the agency of land and geological processes. The study also explores the material agency of fragments, considering how their physical characteristics suggest potential restorations and reconstitutions. The practice of assembly, or piecing together ancient fragments with new additions, is analyzed, revealing how restored statues may present a “diplopia” or double vision, showcasing their multi-temporal lives. And likewise, an examination of specific collections, such as the Vatican Belvedere, della Valle, Cesi, and Farnese, emphasizes the meaningful relationships between fragments and restored works, suggesting that the juxtaposition of these elements invites viewers to consider the dialogue between ruination and salvation. Ultimately, this dissertation seeks to present new avenues for research into this ubiquitous yet understudied practice that can push the scholarly discussion beyond the typical scope of studying iconographies of restored statues, and instead consider the related fields of antiquities collecting, spolia studies, theories of material agency, and eco-critical art history.
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