Portrait of Charles VI, a
dried clay sculpture by Francesco Robba, is an exceptional sculptural work and
a true rarity in Slovenia and in the wider European area. Dried or unfired clay
is very delicate and not very durable, so it is almost a miracle that the
sculpture, although in a poor state of preservation, has survived to this day.
In the restoration studio of the National Gallery, we took a closer look
at the characteristics of this work of art. During the restoration process, we
discovered traces of clay modelling, including the artist's fingerprints.
Scientific investigations, such as mineral-petrographic analyses, analysis of
samples of the image layers and radiological methods of study (X-ray, CT), have
provided important information on the way the work was made, its composition
and its history. The new discoveries represent a notable contribution to the
conservation and restoration process, which aims to restore the physical
integrity of the fragmented artefact, while at the same time it enriches our
understanding of the artistic production of this important Baroque sculptor.
5 June – 2 July 2025
National Gallery of Slovenia
Prešernova 24
1000 Ljubljana