Restoration of centuries-old painting at University of Scranton reveals hidden St. John the Baptist

Imagery hidden in a historic painting is now on full display at the University of Scranton.

SCRANTON, Pa. — Inside the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton, a quiet study room holds a historic piece of artwork older than the United States.

“It’s almost 500 years old. But also, the content of the painting is important to a Jesuit university. Madonna and Child speaks to the importance of the contemplative nature of what we teach here in our mission,” said George Aulisio Ph.D, University of Scranton Dean of the Library.

Donated by the Morgan Family, the Niccolò Betti painting was on display in the family’s home in Carbondale before it was given to the University under one condition, getting it restored.

“Wanted to protect it and preserve it for generations to come, so we took it to a professional art restorer in New York City with ties to the Scranton area. Almost six months into the process, we have a phone conversation. He said there’s something here that you’re not gonna believe. There’s more than we realized,” said Aulisio.

Under layers of black paint, co-owner of Chelsea Restoration Associates in New York City and Taylor native John Powell discovered a young St. John the Baptist over Mother Mary’s shoulder, surrounded by a forest scene.

The full image finally shown after being hidden for centuries.

“People can come in and see a painting that could very well be seen in the halls of the Met Museum or in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, but that’s the sort of thing that we want to give back to the community here at the university,” explained Aulisio.

After months of restoration, the painting is now back on display at the school, in a one-of-a-kind frame built from scratch.

“They found a frame there that they thought would be appropriate for this, and they copied it basically and then crafted this from modern materials from scratch, but it’s essentially a 17th-century Italian frame that’s housing this. It just was made a couple of years ago though,” said Aulisio.

Now called “Madonna and Child with the Young St. John the Baptist,” the University of Scranton will have an official unveiling and Q and A session with the restorer and researcher behind the artwork Thursday night inside the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room.