Exhibitions, Stories
San Marino Exhibition: Masterpieces of Hidden Heritage from Private Collections
The prestigious exhibition Masterpieces of Hidden Heritage – Works of Art from Private Collections will take place at Palazzo SUMS in the City of San Marino from 6 December 2024 to 30 April 2025. Organized by the Secretariat of State for Education and Culture of the Republic of San Marino in collaboration with Ce.St.Art. (Center for Studies of Art Economy), this event offers a rare opportunity to explore exceptional artworks drawn from private collections.
Curated by Giancarlo Graziani, in consultation with the exhibition’s Scientific Committee, the exhibition pays homage to the Republic of San Marino – the world’s oldest republic. For the first time, the biographies of the featured artists include references to San Marino’s historical and cultural context, emphasizing the profound impact of their origins on their human and artistic journeys.
A Unique Historical Perspective
This exhibition adopts a groundbreaking approach, contextualizing artists within the political and cultural environments of their time. For example, among the featured painters, only four – Giacomo Balla (d. 1958), Mario Sironi (d. 1961), Giorgio Morandi (d. 1964), and Gino Severini (d. 1966) – were born during the Kingdom of Italy and later lived during the Italian Republic. The other artists, ranging from Donatello (b. 1386) to Vincenzo Giacomelli (d. 1890), lived in eras predating this modern political entity.
This historical lens reframes the featured works as representatives of national schools such as the Florentine, Venetian, or Roman traditions, rather than subsuming them under a generalized “Italian” identity. By doing so, the exhibition underscores the Republic of San Marino’s unique position as a steadfast independent state since 301 AD, preserving the legacy of Europe’s city-state era and the cultural values it imparted to Western civilization.
Highlights of the Collection
The exhibition showcases an extraordinary selection of works, lent by private collectors whose generosity has made this unique cultural event possible. The masterpieces represent the highest expressions of art from various historical states, including the Republic of Venice, the Republic of Florence, the Papal States, the Kingdom of Naples, the Kingdom of Italy, and the Italian Republic.
The Republic of Venice: Notable works include Deposition at the Sepulchre by Vittore Belliniano, Saint Sebastian with the Arrow by Francesco Morone, Saints Sebastian and Prosdocimus by Bartolomeo Montagna, Hunting by Giovan Battista Tiepolo, and two episodes from the Siege of Venice series by Vincenzo Giacomelli.
The Papal States: A rare and historically significant collection of 14 detached frescoes from the Spreca Palace in Viterbo by the Master of the Virtues highlights the Vatican’s contribution to the arts.
The Republic of Florence: Sculptural masterpieces include Madonna and Child by Donatello, Saint Andrew by Michelangelo, and Christ Blessing by Agostino di Duccio, exemplifying the genius of the Medici era.
The Kingdom of Naples: The compelling Saint Jerome by Giuseppe Ribera, an Iberian-inflected work by the Spanish master, represents this region’s artistic heritage.
The Italian Republic: Giorgio Morandi’s Still Life, once owned by the art critic Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti, is a poignant testament to the cultural achievements of contemporary Italy.
The Kingdom of Italy: Modern Italian art is represented by Giacomo Balla’s Lines of Speed, one of the few surviving screens of its kind, Mario Sironi’s Female Nude, and Gino Severini’s Portrait of the Marchesa de Seta.
An Unmissable Cultural Event
This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition provides an unparalleled opportunity to view these exceptional works, many of which have remained hidden in private collections until now. The exhibition not only celebrates artistic brilliance but also offers profound insights into the complex interplay between art, history, and the enduring cultural heritage of San Marino and its neighboring states.
Visit Palazzo SUMS in San Marino from 6 December 2024 to 30 April 2025 to experience this extraordinary journey through centuries of artistic excellence.
Also Read
Donatello Puzzle: The Deposition of Christ and High Altar at Basilica of Saint Anthony
Story submitted by Ce.St.Art. The World Art News (WAN) is not liable for the content of this publication. All statements and views expressed herein are opinions only. Act at your own risk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. © The World Art News
The post San Marino Exhibition: Masterpieces of Hidden Heritage from Private Collections appeared first on World Art News.