ICCROM regrets to record that Umberto Baldini, the influential Italian restoration expert who led efforts to restore Florence's treasures after the Arno River flooded the city in 1966, died after a long illness at the age of 84.

Mr Baldini was head of the ‘Gabinetto di Restauro’ in the Uffizi premises, Florence when the Arno swamped the city's museums and churches on 4 November, 1966, damaging paintings, frescoes, and rare books.  During the salvage campaign, he brought together major experts in conservation worldwide. ICCROM was one of the active partners in this project, taking on the role of the coordinating body, through which all offers of international aid was channeled, and also of the representative of UNESCO.

During the emergency campaign, Mr Baldini enhanced the restoration laboratories in Florence and stressed a more scientific approach to conservation. In 1972 he organized an exhibition on the conservation works that were being carried out after the flood. This presented a scientific and didactical approach, and explained the new Florentine restoration methodology. The restoration that he led on the famous Cimabue Crucifix in the Basilica Santa Croce became the icon of this campaign.

As a result of this campaign, it was decided to merge all of the Florentine state restoration laboratories into the historic 'Opificio dei Medici', which had taken on new importance after the 1966 catastrophic floods. Mr Baldini became the director (1970 to 1983) of this new body, now known as the 'Opificio delle Pietre Dure'.

In 1983, he was appointed Director the Istituto Centrale del Restauro and continued the ongoing close collaboration with ICCROM. He directed this institute until he retired in 1987. However, he continued to write about restoration, and to contribution to conservation in his role as President of the ‘Universitá Internazionale dell’Arte’ in Florence.

updated on: 26 October, 2007