NTDTV Italy: Art Restorers Shine Light on Ancient Works

Art restorers are shining light, ultraviolet light, on an ancient work.

They are rediscovering rich original details of Giotto's frescoes that have been hidden for centuries.

[Cecilia Frosinini, Project Coordinator]:

"All of a sudden, all these very, very faint paintings which are very ruined by the old restorations and the coverings and so on, all of a sudden they have a life in themselves again."

The ultraviolet lights are exposing subtle parts of Giotto's 14th century work that have not been seen for hundreds of years.

These paintings are believed to be a source of inspiration for the Italian Renaissance virtuoso Michelangelo.

The four-month study uses non-invasive techniques to gather information for a future restoration of the Peruzzi Chapel in Florence's Santa Croce church.