The Facts
On November 9, 2026, Getty announced a multi-year conservation project for the 17th-century Church of Santo Tomás de Aquino (Iglesia de Rondocan) in the Andean highlands of Cusco, Peru. The project, titled Sacred Heritage in the Andes: Conservation Project for the Baroque Church of Rondocan, will focus on seismic retrofitting of the adobe structure and conservation of its collection of over 300 objects, including a series of eight paintings by Bernardo Bitti that were thought lost. One painting, 'The Agony in the Garden,' will be transferred to the Getty Museum in 2027 for scientific analysis and treatment. Work on site is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura – Cusco (DDC-C) and the Ministry of Culture of Peru as partners.
The Signal
The project underscores the importance of preserving earthen architecture in seismically active regions and highlights the art historical significance of Bitti, a Jesuit painter active in Peru in the late 16th century. The collaborative approach, involving local community members and professionals, aims to create a sustainable model for heritage conservation in remote areas. For collectors and curators, the rediscovery and conservation of Bitti's series adds a crucial chapter to the understanding of colonial art in the Americas.
- Artists: Bernardo Bitti
- People: Claudia Cancino, Fernando López Sánchez, Stéphanie Auffret, Ulrich Birkmaier
- Museums: Getty Museum, Getty Conservation Institute
- Locations: Cusco, Rondocan
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