The Great Florence Flood

In 19 66, after days and days of rain, the arno river overflowed its retaining walls and flooded florence. Vosari's massive, eight by 21 foot tus was completely submerged for more than 12 hours. The lower parts of the work were covered in this oily, dirty water for much longer. Initially all that conservators could do was separate the five panels of the painting and try to get them dried as quickly as possible. And then apply a paper treatment to each of the separated panels to ent the paint from peeling away.