Venetian Renaissance, Paintings from the Gallerie dell'Accademia
This is the name chosen for the exhibition which brought about fifty paintings to Japan. Made between the 400th and 600th centuries, all from the Venetian museum. The event is divided into two parts. A first exhibition at the National Art Center in Tokyo until 10 October 2016. A second exhibition at the National Museum of Art in Osaka from 22 October to 15 January 2017. The paintings, priceless masterpieces of Venetian painting. In this case they become like a bridge between distant cultures and countries and a source of pride for all Italians, who see an important moment of their artistic and cultural tradition valued.
Paula Marini
Dr. Paola Marini, director of the Galleries of the Academy of Venice and curator of the exhibition,Venetian Renaissance, Paintings from the Gallerie dell'Accademia, together with Sergio Marinelli and Koshikawa Michiaki, he kindly accepted to answer some questions for Italiani.it:
Dr. Marini, how did the idea of bringing great masterpieces of Venetian painting to Japan come about?
“The idea for the exhibition in Japan comes from the Superintendent Giovanna Damiani, who preceded me in the direction of the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice. For my part, I tried to optimize the project and make it more sustainable, with the collaboration of Professor Marinelli of the Ca 'Foscari University, extending its chronological details and inserting even less known and' obvious' works, which have been specifically subjected to conservative revision by of our talented restorers. "
What are the aims of these two exhibitions and how do you expect the Japanese public to react?
“The Japanese are great fans of Western and Italian art in particular. They are enthusiastically appreciating our proposal, refreshing the emotion of their encounter with Venetian art or preparing future visits, which we naturally hope to increase in this way. "
There has always been a heated debate on the possible risks associated with the transport of works of art. Yet one of the main functions of art has always been to convey a message and in many cases promote a cultural exchange between different countries.
Do you think the risk is worth the candle?
“It is a question of measure and balance, of the seriousness of the scientific project, of the reciprocity of the exchange. It is clear that, as a flagship museum of Venetian art, we are aiming for ever more numerous, qualified and prestigious international collaborations, minimizing the risk and making it “worth a candle”. "
Do you already have other post-Japan plans in mind?
"After our important presence in the Netherlands and Spain at the exhibitions dedicated to Jeronimus Bosch, the exhibition will begin shortly on 29 September at the Denver Art Museum. Glory of Venice. Masterworks of the Renaissance, to which we will contribute with the loan of about twenty works. Between 2018 and 2019 a major event is being prepared in Venice, Palazzo Ducale and Gallerie dell'Accademia and at the National Gallery in Washington to celebrate the fifth centenary of the birth of Jacopo Tintoretto. But other events, not just exhibitions, are being studied with some of the most important museums in Europe and the United States. "
Italian art in the world
Venetian Renaissance, Paintings from the Gallerie dell'Accademia, we hope that this event will be successful as well as the appointments scheduled for the future, because nothing more than art can bind distant peoples with a feeling of sincere friendship.
