“The Golden Way: An Extraordinary Art Exhibition on the Via dell’Oro in Venice”
The Galleria nazionale dell’Umbria is bringing some of its golden masterpieces to the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro in Venice. From April 17th to June 16th, 2024, these works will be showcased alongside important contemporary artworks, creating a unique dialogue between the past and the present.
The exhibition, titled “The Golden Way: An Extraordinary Art Exhibition on the Via dell’Oro,” is curated by Alessandra Mammì, Veruska Picchiarelli, and Carla Scagliosi. It is held in conjunction with the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. The curators, along with Costantino D’Orazio, the director of the Musei Nazionali di Perugia, Daniele Ferrara, the regional director of the Musei del Veneto, and Massimo Osanna, the general director of national museums, presented a preview of the exhibition to the press.
The exhibition features six masterpieces from the Galleria nazionale dell’Umbria, including works by Duccio di Boninsegna, Gentile da Fabriano, the Maestro della Madonna di Perugia, Giovanni Baronzio, Cataluccio da Todi, and Bartolomeo Caporali. These works are displayed alongside six contemporary artists: Alberto Burri, Gino De Dominicis, Lucio Fontana, Marisa Merz, Michelangelo Pistoletto, and Carol Rama.
The Galleria Franchetti, located on the second floor, hosts this preview exhibition in Venice. It serves as a prelude to a larger project that will take place in Perugia at the Galleria nazionale dell’Umbria from October 12th, 2024, to January 19th, 2025. This subsequent exhibition will include additional works and explore the use of gold in installations and the artistic expressions of not only Italian artists but also international ones.
D’Orazio emphasized the importance of showcasing the treasures of the Galleria nazionale dell’Umbria on an international stage like Venice’s Biennale: “Venezia during the Biennale d’Arte offers an unparalleled opportunity to shed light on the treasures preserved in the Galleria nazionale dell’Umbria, highlighting its exceptional collection of gold-based works.”
Through six unique dialogues, these artworks create new connections, suggestions, and perspectives based on their shared use of gold. For example, Duccio di Boninsegna’s Madonna col Bambino approaches the cosmic dimension of Lucio Fontana’s Concetto spaziale. Similarly, Gentile da Fabriano’s Madonna col Bambino reveals the influence of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s early work, Sacerdote, from 1957, which uses mirrors to reflect light—a technique inspired by medieval traditions.
The Galleria Franchetti, which houses a core collection of gold-based works and a small section of paintings from the Umbrian and Tuscan schools, proves to be an ideal venue for these luminous encounters. Claudia Cremonini, the museum’s director, emphasized the significance of this collaboration between two state institutions under the Directorate General of Museums.
Massimo Osanna, the director general, praised the exhibition as an example of the extraordinary possibilities that arise from collaborations between dynamic and open-minded museums. He believes that exploring the connections between the ancient and the contemporary is the path to follow.
“The Golden Way: An Extraordinary Art Exhibition on the Via dell’Oro” offers visitors a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty and significance of gold in art across different eras. By juxtaposing historical masterpieces with contemporary works, this exhibition invites viewers to discover new perspectives, connections, and inspirations. Don’t miss the chance to experience this stunning display of artistic brilliance in the enchanting city of Venice.