Elettra’s contribution to the study seminar on the Cividale del Friuli Crucifix: research serving heritage

The rediscovery of the monumental medieval wooden crucifix preserved in Cividale del Friuli was the focus of the scientific seminar History, diagnostics and restoration challenges of a monumental wooden sculpture rediscovered in the Cividale Cemetery, held on 28 April at the Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle. The event provided an opportunity for dialogue among art historians, conservators, institutions and the scientific community.

Among the contributors was Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, represented in the scientific session by Chiaramaria Stani and Diego Dreossi, whose presentation focused on the role of advanced analytical techniques in the study of the artwork, as well as in the concluding institutional presentation, attended by the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Massimiliano Fedriga, where Marco Peloi highlighted the value of collaboration between research and heritage preservation.

During the seminar, Elettra presented a multi-technique approach combining X-ray microtomography and infrared spectroscopy with the valuable expertise of art historians and conservators to investigate, in a non-invasive way, the genesis of the artefact. Preliminary results highlighted the potential of these methodologies to support knowledge, conservation and future restoration strategies.

For Elettra, the initiative represented an important opportunity to reaffirm the contribution that large-scale research infrastructures can offer to applied research in cultural heritage and its enhancement, in an increasingly close dialogue between science, territory and conservation.