Eternal homage to Pope Francis: the Salus Populi of Bottega Tifernate
In the memory of Pope Francis, who recently passed away, a moment full of meaning for Bottega Tifernate shines again. On 12 January 2024, Stefano, Francesca and Romolo Lazzari had the honour of presenting the Holy Father, during an audience at the Vatican, with a reproduction of the Salus Populi Romani, one of Pope Francis' favourite Marian icons.
The choice of the Salus Populi Romani was not accidental: Pope Francis was deeply attached to this image of the Virgin. Before and after each apostolic journey, he would go to pray in front of the icon in the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and in his will he expressed the wish to be buried in the Pauline Chapel of the Basilica, next to the sacred image.
This reproduction, on a scale of 1:1, is the third one made by Bottega Tifernate for the Pontiff: Pope Francis already kept two works by Bottega Tifernate in his residence at Casa Santa Marta: Caravaggio's The Calling of Saint Matthew and Marc Chagall's The White Crucifixion.
On a poplar wood panel, treated according to traditional techniques with Bologna chalk, rabbit glue and 24kt gold leaf, a work faithful to the original comes to life, the result of painstaking study and painterly skill.
Today more than ever, as the world pays tribute to his extraordinary pontificate, the Salus Populi Romani takes on an even more symbolic and spiritual value. Bottega Tifernate also makes this precious reproduction available for collectors, enthusiasts and devotees who wish to welcome an icon of faith and beauty into their homes.
For information on purchasing the Salus Populi Romani, please contact us or visit the shop.