Thursday 7 March 2013

A not-to-be-missed art exhibition in Siena during 2013

An excellent new art exhibition, "Resurrexi: Dalla Passione alla Resurrezione" ("Resurrexi: From Passion to Resurrection"), has just opened in Siena and continues until 31 August 2013. The full title of the exhibition is "From Passion to Resurrection, a route amongst the masterpieces of the monumental complex of the Cathedral of Siena for the Year of Faith." It provides a fantastic opportunity to see depictions of the death and resurrection of Jesus by artists represented in the holdings Opera della Metropolitana of Siena. And since paintings of the last moments of the life of Jesus were an important part of the canon of every Renaissance artist, there are some astonishing masterpieces to be seen in here.

Resurrexi: Dalla Passione alla Resurrezione
Frescoes on the crypt itinerary of the Siena exhibition:
Resurrexi: Dalla Passione alla Resurrezione
The exhibition includes two itineraries, one through the Crypt of the Duomo and the other through the Museo dell’Opera, highlighting specific works of art. Many of these masterpieces are in fact always accessible to visitors who have done their homework, a famous example being the northern gothic pulpit sculpted between the end of 1265 and November 1268 by Nicola Pisano and several other artists. This is actually the oldest art work in the Duomo.

Northern gothic pulpit by Nicola Pisano (1265 - 1268)
Northern gothic pulpit by Nicola Pisano (1265 - 1268)
However, the exhibition also includes works not usually on public display, particularly many exquisite miniatures as well as the reverse side of Duccio di Buoninsegna’s Maestà, painted between 1308 and 1311 and which depicts the entire cycle of the Passion of Christ. Frescoes are also prominent in the itineraries.

Historiated initial of a manuscript on display at the exhibition Resurrexi: Dalla Passione alla Resurrezione in Siena.
Historiated initial of a manuscript on display at the exhibition
Resurrexi: Dalla Passione alla Resurrezione in Siena.
Sienna is just one and half hours from Borgo di Vagli, making this a worthwhile day excursion for anyone with an interest in art. Highly recommended.

After absorbing so many works of art in the passageways under Siena, you'll no doubt be feeling hungry. My best tip for a meal (at a "like Dina's" place) is Osteria Nonna Gina.

The exhibition opened on 1 March and continues until 31 August 2013.
Hours 10.30 to 19.00. Last admission 18.30.
Tickets: Opa SI Pass: € 12. Free for children younger than 11 years old.
Location: Sienna Cathedral and Piccolomini Library, Museum of the Opera and Panorama from Facciatone, crypt under the cathedral, baptistery, Oratorio S. Bernardino.

Borgo di Vagli restored mediaeval hamlet in Tuscany
Borgo di Vagli has been authentically restored as a Tuscan vacation hamlet. The residences can be bought in the form of fractional ownerships, making a holiday home in Tuscany possible at modest cost.

Fulvio Di Rosa
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