The glass that protects the Cartoon of The School of Athens

Raffaello Sanzio’s masterpiece “The School of Athens”, features Plato and Aristotle and represents the study of philosophy. It was created in 1509 and over the years has passed through the hands of numerous notables including Napoleon Boneparte.

It now rests back in Milan’s Biblioteca Ambrosiana and, following four years of restoration, is open to public viewing. This fragile work of art, which was created using charcoal on laid sheets, now benefits from the all-round protective properties of Pilkington OptiView™ OW. 

The glass was the obvious choice – when compared to traditional offerings. The artwork is displayed behind a vitrine featuring a single eight-metre long sheet of this special protective glass – the world’s largest ever to be produced and installed in-situ. Laminated Pilkington OptiView™ OW, with its thin layer of metal oxides and anti-reflective properties, reduces light reflection to a minimum (2 per cent), protects against vandalism and offers the perfect all-round, true-colour, viewing experience. 

For those who want to deepen their knowledge, there is an informational display table set up in front of the Cartoon, which is designed to help viewers appreciate and share in this pivotal piece of artwork from the Italian Renaissance. 

Client: Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana – Milan, Italy

Exhibition design Room IV and Room V of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana: Stefano Boeri (Founding Partner), Marco Giorgio (Project Director), Francesca Motta (Project Leader), Esteban Marquez, Daniele Barillari, Elisa Versari – Milan, Italy

Executive Design and Production of the Case: Goppion SpA – Trezzano sul Naviglio (MI), Italy

Glass processor: Novavetro -  San Severino Marche (MC), Italy

Transport and installation of special glass: Pinotti & Valentino Snc – Brugherio (MI), Italy