Sistine Chapel's Last Judgment gets delicate cleanup before Easter crowds
The Sistine Chapel's Last Judgment fresco is receiving careful maintenance to remove a thin, milky residue caused by visitors' breath over time. The work began in mid-January and is set to finish by the end of March, just before Easter celebrations. Experts are using delicate techniques to restore the artwork's original vibrancy without disrupting public access.
The residue, mainly calcium lactate, has built up on Michelangelo's masterpiece, dulling its dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. To tackle this, restorers are applying deionised water and Japanese tissue to dissolve and lift the salt deposits within minutes. The process is not a full restoration but aims to revive the fresco's colours while preserving its integrity.
The chapel's environment is tightly controlled, kept between 71.6 and 75.2°F with humidity levels of 55% to 60%. A specially designed scaffold allows visitors to keep moving through the space while the work continues. The project has also given experts new insights into Michelangelo's techniques and artistic decisions.
Funding for the maintenance comes from the Florida Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums. The Sistine Chapel, part of the wider Vatican Museums, attracts millions of visitors each year—around 18 million annually across the entire complex. Rising temperatures and high footfall mean the site demands constant monitoring to protect its fragile artworks.
The maintenance project will wrap up in late March, ensuring the fresco is ready for Easter visitors. By removing the residue, restorers hope to bring back the full impact of Michelangelo's brushwork. The work also sets a precedent for future conservation efforts in one of the world's most visited cultural sites.
