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Recently, we shared our Catholic cathedral renovation work at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY. Today, we’re highlighting the sacred art restoration of its cherished hand-carved Pietà from Oberammergau, Germany. This remarkable wood sculpture had suffered years of improper repairs and was marked by deep cracks that compromised both its structure and appearance, diminishing its beauty as an object of devotion for parishioners.
Rohn & Associates Custom Studio Artist Victoria Cristina led the meticulous restoration of this historic Catholic sculpture. She carefully stripped away the failing finishes and used tight-grained German oak to fill and stabilize the fissures. The sculpture was then thoroughly cleaned and refinished with great care. Victoria rendered Christ’s body in a lighter tone to gently contrast with the Blessed Mother, and His loincloth was accented with rich gold leaf. Finally, multiple coats of clear varnish brought out the wood’s natural warmth and restored the Pietà’s original luster, completing its transformation.
To give the Pietà greater visibility and devotional presence, Rolf Rohn relocated it from a side transept near the entrance to the cathedral’s adoration chapel. Framed by the chapel’s Gothic arches, the sculpture now draws the eye and the heart, serving as a powerful reminder to the congregation that Christ’s crucifixion is not simply a symbol of sorrow, but one of love, sacrifice, and hope for all.