Valeria: I started this profession by chance. When I was at school my drawing teacher told me I had very little creativity but I was very good at copying things so maybe I could be a restorer. Daniela: I studied art history at university and simultaneously trained at an important workshop in Rome.

It’s important to have interaction between restorers and visitors. The experience of the open restoration of Caravaggio’s The Pilgrims’ Madonna was something innovative and we have repeated this experience several times, in order to involve local people.

Valeria: People normally don't realise the amount of skills you need to master. It’s essential to do long internships and have experiences with colleagues or masters, since there is constant evolution. Daniela: People do not understand that behind our work, there is a very complex science.

Valeria: There's too little recognition. We live in a country where at every corner, there’s something to preserve. Preserving art is essential for humanity. Daniela: The sector could be a source of employment for many young people. Craftsmanship and restoration must return as the crown jewels of our country.