ANN ARBOR—The Kelsey Museum has received a federal grant to help finance the preservation of a series of dramatic paintings in its permanent collection. The paintings depict a famous fresco cycle at the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii, Italy.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced the $160,000 grant to the archaeology museum on the University of Michigan central campus in Ann Arbor on April 29. The Conservation Project Support grant aims to prevent the loss of irreplaceable artifacts and improve conservation of collections in the nation’s museums.

The twenty-two large-scale watercolor paintings, created in 1925-27 by Italian artist Maria Barosso, are among the nearly 100,000 objects in the Kelsey Museum’s collection, which includes artifacts from civilizations spanning the ancient Mediterranean. Barosso’s renderings depict wall paintings at the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii which relate to the cult of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, inspiration and ecstasy.

“The watercolors are one of the highlights of our collection, and this conservation project will ensure their preservation and allow us to provide greater access to these unique paintings,” said Suzanne Davis, curator of conservation at the Kelsey Museum. “In addition to conserving the paintings, we will develop a program to educate visitors about the need for collections care and conservation.”

The Kelsey Museum is one of 34 museums selected for a total of $2.72 million in grants. Recipients are required to match the grant with non-federal funds. In accepting the grant, the Kelsey Museum must come up with an additional $160,000.

In August, the Kelsey Museum closed its public galleries for renovations and expansions. The renovated museum, including the newly constructed Upjohn Wing, will reopen next year.