Checking Out the Cherubs at Old North Church

Old North Illuminated has announced that its project to conserve cherubs painted high on its interior walls in the 1700s is going faster than expected.

Each cherub, originally painted by John Gibbs, has proved to have a different facial shape and expression. The craftspeople expect to reveal all sixteen of the faces.

People can learn more in this GBH News interview with lead conservator Gianfranco Pocobene.

Visitors to the Old North Church can enjoy a closer view of the paintings by purchasing slots on a “Cheeky Cherub” tour. The church’s interpreters will lead that group up to the balcony (meaning there are stairs to climb) and discuss how these figures fit into the church’s original design scheme.

The “Cheeky Cherub” tour is available at different times and on different days. It costs $10 and includes regular admission to the church sanctuary. Tours are booked through this website.

Finally, there’s a live online event about the cherubs next week.

Wednesday, 11 December, 7 to 8 P.M.
Uncovering Our Angels: Paint Restoration at Old North Church

Gianfranco Pocobene, the lead conservator of the historic paint restoration project at Old North, will discuss the techniques, tools, and technology that have allowed his team to penetrate layers of white overpaint to reveal the beautiful artwork hidden underneath. He will share photos of the newly revealed angels, discuss theories as to how the angels were painted in the 1700s and why they were painted over, and answer your questions about the project.

Born in Italy and raised in Canada, Gianfranco Pocobene has spent decades working in art conservation for prestigious institutions like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Harvard Art Museums. Some of his most significant projects include the restoration of the John LaFarge murals at Trinity Church, Boston, the Women’s Gallery mural at Vilna Shul, Beacon Hill, Puvis de Chavannes’ Philosophy mural at the Boston Public Library, and Benjamin Constant’s mural at the Ames-Webster Mansion, Boston.

Register for that talk through this webpage.