Statues of the Virgin and Child with adoring angels on the Duomo in Florence are shown in color for the first time

Florence’s Duomo is still unraveling new mysteries – restoration has unearthed traces of a once-hidden color on the marble sculptures of the Virgin and Child and the Worshiping Angles.

When cleaning 10,000 square feet of marble, scientists discovered the brown iris of Mary’s left eye, the bluish green and red color of her cloak, and the rich brocade pattern imitating woven fabric on the dress worn by the Christ Child.

museum directors long believed the statues were created from natural white marble to match the appearance of the Duomo in white, pink and green marble, experts never thought there could be such a coloration.

The restoration, which cleared 10,000 square feet of the cathedral, determined that a layer of brown oxalate had been applied to the marble to protect the structure, but this also obscured the colors.

The impressive find suggests that other sculptural groups located around the church may also have colors that have yet to be revealed.

Restoration work began in September 2021 and has been focused on the north side as this area has been severely degraded due to erosion from rain runoff, surface mud deposits, black sulfur deposits and bird feces.

Restoration work began in September 2021 and has been focused on the north side as this area has been severely degraded due to erosion from rain runoff, surface mud deposits, black sulfur deposits and bird feces.

Teams spent time clearing 10,000 square feet of the north side, revealing hidden colors such as the brown iris of Mary's left eye.

Teams spent time clearing 10,000 square feet of the north side, revealing hidden colors such as the brown iris of Mary’s left eye.

Restoration work began in September 2021 and has been focused on the north side as the area has become highly degraded due to runoff erosion, surface mud deposits, black sulfur deposits and bird feces.

The Duomo, also called the Cathedral of Florence or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, was the largest church in the world when it was consecrated in 1436 – it holds 30,000 people.

Construction began in 1293, but was not completed for more than 140 years due to the departure of the architects, the dying and the expansion of the dome building, which took longer to complete.

The dome, however, is an iconic feature of the Duomo, consisting of two layers: an inner shell that stretches across the diameter and a parallel outer shell to keep out the weather.

Approximately 24 stone semi-arches support both shells or ribs, which taper and meet on an open stone compression ring at the top.

Florence's Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is located in Duomo Square.  An estimated 4.5 million people visit the cathedral.

Florence’s Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is located in Duomo Square. An estimated 4.5 million people visit the cathedral.

In the 1950s, a layer of brown oxalate was applied to the marble to protect the structure, but this also obscured the colors.

In the 1950s, a layer of brown oxalate was applied to the marble to protect the structure, but this also obscured the colors.

The restoration cleaned the statues, revealing their intricate details covered in bird feces.  The teams found the blue-green and red color of Mary's cloak and the rich brocade pattern imitating woven fabric on the dress worn by the Christ Child.

The restoration cleaned the statues, revealing their intricate details covered in bird feces. The teams found the blue-green and red color of Mary’s cloak and the rich brocade pattern imitating woven fabric on the dress worn by the Christ Child.

Only eight ribs are visible from the outside, giving the dome an octagonal shape reminiscent of the nearby 11th-century baptistery of San Giovanni.

The Madonna and Child and adoring angels are depicted just above the large front door, and these images have been part of the history of Florence for centuries.

This is because Fra Filippo Lippi, who lived in Florence in the 1400s, was said to be the mentioned patron of the Madonna and Child with two angels.

He was a monk and artist who created several works of art using what hangs over the doors of the Duomo.

This was stated by the director of the Duomo Museum Timothy Verdon. ANSA: “It reminds us that Florence at the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century was a very colorful city.

“The cathedral also had painted statues with gilding on the wings of angels and on clothes – thus, a celebration.”

“A holiday that we forgot and are starting to rediscover.

Bishop Giuseppe Betori of Florence said: “It may seem strange that the door of a church is given such importance. But really.

The Madonna and Child and adoring angels are depicted just above the large front door, and these images have been part of the history of Florence for centuries.  Pictured is one of the angels

The Madonna and Child and adoring angels are depicted just above the large front door, and these images have been part of the history of Florence for centuries. Pictured is one of the angels

This is because Fra Filippo Lippi, who lived in Florence in the 1400s, was said to be the mentioned patron of the Madonna and Child with two angels.

This is because Fra Filippo Lippi, who lived in Florence in the 1400s, was said to be the mentioned patron of the Madonna and Child with two angels.

The impressive find suggests that other sculptural groups located around the church may also have colors that have yet to be revealed.

The impressive find suggests that other sculptural groups located around the church may also have colors that have yet to be revealed.

The dome is an iconic feature of the Duomo, consisting of two layers: an inner shell that stretches across the diameter and a parallel outer shell for weather protection.

The dome is an iconic feature of the Duomo, consisting of two layers: an inner shell that stretches across the diameter and a parallel outer shell for weather protection.

“The door of the church is very important as it is the link between what is celebrated inside the building and the normal life of the people.”

From 2017 to date, the museum has invested more than 1.5 million in the restoration projects of the Duomo.

The entire structure is 524 feet long and 141 feet wide. The structure includes over four million bricks and weighs over 40,000 tons.

About 4.5 million people flock to see its beauty every year.