Restorations at Palazzo del Bo
After the important restorations on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the University of Padua (Sala dei Quaranta, Gio Ponti furnishings), the historical-artistic heritage of Palazzo del Bo will undergo further cleaning and restoration work in the coming years. These include:
>> Rectorate frescoes
>> Furnishings of the Rectorate and Degree Rooms
>> Individual works of art
Portrait of Morgagni in the Hall of Medicine
In the prestigious Hall of Medicine, adjacent to the Anatomical Theatre and part of the palace's tour routes, is the portrait of the famous anatomist Giovanni Battista Morgani.
The painting, a late 18th century canvas in unfortunately poor condition, will undergo carefully philological restoration work will restore a correct reading of the work, homogenising the perception of the whole in comparison with the other portraits in the Sala that have recently undergone restoration.
Giovanni Battista Morgani
‘His anatomical majesty’, as he was called in Europe - he was born in Forlì on 25 February 1682.
A graduate in Philosophy and Medicine from Bologna in 1701, he was a lecturer in Padua, first of Theoretical Medicine (in the chair that was Vallisneri's) between 1711 and 1715, and then of Anatomy until 1771, the year he died. He is canonically regarded as the founder of pathological anatomy.
Morgagni is the authentic protagonist of the Hall of Medicine. In front of the entrance, in fact, the Fame that writes Morgagni's name in the book of glory is painted, by Achille Funi (1942), who is also responsible for the anatomies painted on the left wall. On the walls are numerous portraits of illustrious doctors and anatomists, some of which belonged to the series Morgagni had painted for his studio.
Morgagni is portrayed here in academic dress, according to traditional iconography. In his hand and on the shelf are the volumes of his work Adversaria anatomica, the summa of his anatomical research. The dates 1711-1771 refer to his teaching years in Padua.
This restoration is possible thanks to
BCC Veneta Credito Cooperativo – S.C.
Ordine dei Medici Chirurghi e degli Odontoiatri della provincia di Padova
