Milan's Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo has launched an innovative 'Adopt a Statue' program that allows donors to fund restoration of centuries-old sculptures from the iconic cathedral. The recently restored 15th-century Bearded Saint with Book statue, originally carved for outdoor display, is now on public view at FNM's headquarters in Piazzale Cadorna after undergoing conservation work.

Launched in 2020, the program recruits companies and individuals to fund statue restoration through loan agreements that permit occasional public display outside the cathedral. Project manager Elisa Mantia explained that these agreements typically last one year and may be renewed, allowing sculptures that would otherwise remain in storage to be restored and shared with the public. The initiative follows previous campaigns where donors could adopt gargoyles or spires.

Since construction began in 1386 under Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the Duomo has accumulated hundreds of statues carved by artists from different regions and periods, creating a timeline of evolving artistic styles. The Veneranda Fabbrica has preselected approximately 30 sculptures eligible for restoration, each requiring authorization from Italy's cultural heritage authorities. Restoration typically takes one to three months, focusing on surface cleaning and preservation rather than structural repairs, using the same Candoglia marble that has adorned the cathedral since the late 14th century.