Rome, Sept. 22 (Reuters): The last two frescoes painted by Renaissance master Michelangelo are to be restored to their original brilliance, the director general of the Vatican Museums said today.

A decade after experts completed one of the 20th century?s most ambitious restoration projects ? the cleaning of Michelangelo?s Sistine Chapel frescoes ? they are ready to tackle the giant works in the adjacent Pauline Chapel.

?We have already carried out a long period of preparation, and in winter the works will begin,? Francesco Buranelli said by telephone.

The restorations of the giant The Crucifixion of St. Peter and The Conversion of Paul frescoes, which were completed in 1550 when Michelangelo was 75, are part of a broader effort to clean and restore the Pauline Chapel.

The images of a muscular God extending a ray of light to Paul and of St. Peter lashed to a crucifix under a stormy sky decorate the walls of the chapel. Water seepage, botched previous restorations and years of grime will be gently removed during the process which should take four years.

Pope Paul III ordered the Pauline Chapel built in 1537 for use as a private chapel. The beautiful baroque structure, nestled between the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter?s Basilica now houses saints? relics and is closed to the public.

?The two Michelangelo frescoes are the most important works, but there are other frescoes and a wealth of stucco work,? Buranelli said. ?Most work will be on the stucco.?

Experts worked for 14 years to restore Michelangelo?s famed frescoes in the Sistine Chapel to their original vibrant colours, liberating them from centuries of soot, dirt, smoke, salt from rain water, and the blunders of past restorers.