John Canning & Co.'s Conservation Work for the Cignaroli Mural at Salve Regina University Receives Esteemed 2025 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award for Exceptional Conservation and Stabilization Work
The Newport Restoration Foundation honors our conservation work on the Cignaroli Mural at Salve Regina University with a 2025 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award
Cheshire, CT – September 2025 – John Canning & Co. is thrilled to announce that our conservation work for the Cignaroli Mural at Salve Regina University has been honored with a Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award for Restoration and Engagement from the Newport Restoration Foundation. This esteemed award recognizes the firm's profound dedication to preserving historic artwork to continue the everlasting impact it has on the community.
Originally from the Palazzo Labia in Venice, Italy, the mural was created by artist Giambettino Cignaroli, depicting the scene of “Vulcan presenting Aeneas’ arms to Venus.” It was installed in Ochre Court’s ballroom in 1891 and attached to masonry with white lead glue. After years of overpainting and climate-related damage, the mural had suffered from large areas of paint damage and detachment. Resulting in Canning conducting a full stabilization of the central ceiling mural, which included isolating the varnish, infilling, consolidating, removal of overpaint and varnish, inpainting of decorative art, varnishing, and conservation cleaning.
“This award represents not only our team’s passion for preserving historic artwork but also the importance of keeping these treasures alive for the communities they serve. The Cignaroli Mural is a remarkable piece of history, and we are proud to have ensured its future, said David Riccio, President of John Canning & Co.
This conservation project required a historic paint investigation, mockups, extensive research, and advanced technical execution. Key achievements include:
- Plaster Consolidation and Stabilization: The repair and recreation of damaged and lost elements, ensuring all plaster ornamentation is intact.
- Historical Paint Investigation and Color Scheme Development: Uncovering and conserving the Cignaroli Mural color scheme, honoring the original fine artwork.
- Stabilization of Cignaroli Ceiling Mural: Reviving the original ceiling mural through infilling, consolidation, removal of overpaint and varnish, inpainting, and reapplying varnish.
- Conservation Cleaning: Returning the vibrancy of the original color palette through customized conservation cleaning treatments.
This award is a nice follow-up from the Belmont Chapel, a small chapel in the heart of Newport, RI, which received the 2024 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award. Originally designed in 1886 by George Champlin Mason Sr, the building's damp environment led to it undergoing multiple restorations, with the most recent being our interior decorative artwork restoration. The project saved the building from possible demolition and reimplemented the chapel and the surrounding cemeteries' involvement in the community.
The Newport Restoration Foundation is a non-profit organization established by philanthropist Doris Duke in 1968 to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of 18th and 19th-century Newport. The Doris Duke Historic Preservation Awards are a collaboration of the Newport Restoration Foundation and the City of Newport. The 2025 Doris Duke Awards highlight preservation excellence and meeting community needs, including emphasis on craftsmanship, attention to resiliency and energy efficiency, community impact and engagement, and adaptive reuse.
With nearly 50 years of expertise, John Canning & Co. is a nationally recognized leader in historic restoration, conservation, and preservation. The firm specializes in ornamental plaster restoration, plaster stabilization, decorative finishes, gilding, historic woodwork, and stonework, with a dedication to "Perfecting Preservation."
About John Canning & Co.
John Canning & Co. is a national leader in historic preservation, conservation, and restoration. With a legacy spanning nearly five decades, the firm specializes in architectural gilding, decorative finishes, ornamental plaster restoration, historic stonework, and woodwork conservation. Their commitment to craftsmanship and traditional techniques ensures the preservation of historic landmarks for future generations.
