From Canova to Modigliani. The face of the 19th century

From 02 October 2010 to 27 February 2011

Palazzo Zabarella is hosting an exhibition investigating through the expression of portraits the period of time separating Antonio Canova and Amedeo Modigliani. 100 years of massive changes, political, geographical, social and obviously artistic. Furthermore, art can in a way be seen as the true synthesis of what happens in a specific place at a given time, a precise and punctual representation of time. The momentous changes of the 19th century somehow find an answer in this sensational and fascinating confrontation. On the one hand, the oil paintings of Modigliani are filled with passion and self observation and on the other, the sculptures of Canova are characterised by ideal and perfect shapes. Two worlds that almost unexpectedly succeed in talking to each other and fill the distance that separates them with portrait representations. These two worlds depict specific emotions that find in portraits an unexpected dialogue, a kind of conversation between the two main protagonists of the exhibition but also amongst the subjects represented by the pieces on show. The Livorno artist used to paint both well known and unknown personalities, posed or natural, in a group or on their own, in relaxed manners as well more pensive ones, whilst the Treviso sculptor used to idealize powerful people in his paintings and transform them into modern deities.

In short, what is striking is that both Canova and Modigliani represent two separate time confines that are ultimately joined in the common choice of idealizing portrait representations in their masterpieces.

Spanning from Canova to Modigliani, the exhibition presents many other artists of this century, amongst the others: Appiani, Hayez, Boldini, Boccioni, Thorvaldsen, Bertolini, Ingres, Molteni, Piccio, Fattori, Lega, Zandomeneghi, Cremona, Ranzoni, Pellizza da Volpedo, Tito, Corcos, Balla e Severini. The various sections will give visitors the opportunity to understand, reconstruct and compare the works of the various artists, their world and family affections, political ties, the influences of photography and so on. The exhibition is open every day from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

Tickets:Adults: 10,Concessions 8,Reduced tickets 5