The 350 works (paintings, fabrics, sculptures, but also ceramics and jewelry) in the exhibition come from the USA, private collections, sacred monsters of culture from London, the British Museum, the Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert .Pre-Raphaelites, Modern Renaissance » at the San Domenico Museums in Forlì, from February 24 to June 30 (mostremuseisandomenico.it).
Pictured: Holy Grail Tapestry. The knights arm themselves. Designed in 1890, woven in 1898-1899. High warp tapestry with wool and silk weft on cotton warp. Private collection. Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris and John Henry Dearle (designers) Morris & Co. (manufacturer, woven by Robert Ellis, John Keich, John Martin and George Merritt)
Pre-Raphaelites in Forlì: the event
A colossal event which required two years of preparation, and an event of international scope, because exhibitions dedicated to this brotherhood of English artists are rare. Intolerant of the expressive rigidity of the Academies, in the Victorian era, they wanted to return to the purity ofItalian art from the 13th to the 15th century: Giotto, Cimabue, Botticelli, Beato Angelico.
For them, Raphaël was also an academic. The great critic Antonio Paolucci, former Minister of Culture and former director of the Vatican Museums, immortalized them thus “The Pre-Raphaelites are like the Beatles, because they reinvented what already existed, making a new great classic.”
Pre-Raphaelites: who were they
The representatives of this brotherhood were inspired by biblical themes: for example the painter William H. Hunt (1827-1910).
But they also draw inspiration from medieval chivalric cycles, Arthurian legends, and Shakespeare: one of their masterpieces is Ophelia by John Everett Millais (1829-1896).
John Everett Millais he is one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelites, with Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) of Italian origin, whose father was librettist at the Teatro Lirico in Naples. His famous painting will be exhibited in Forlì Roman widow (see photo above) in addition to Window Woman. Rossetti shared studio and workshop with other Pre-Raphaelites: the painter Edward Burnes-Jones (1833-1898)e William Morris, one of the fathers of Art and Craftsa pioneering movement in design that sowed the seeds ofArt Nouveau and Freedom.
Read more: Morris, one of England's first socialists, also created the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, whose status is still respected when it comes to the protection of historic British homes. In Forlì there will be the extraordinary Holy Grail Tapestry, co-signed by Burnes Jones and Morris. Beyond Greek girls collecting pebbles by the sea by Frederic Leighton (1830-1896), Pre-Raphaelite and Orientalist painter, a work with strong colors.
Strong colors are a calling card of the Brotherhood, as he clearly points out. Gianfranco Brunelli, director of major exhibitions at the Civic Museum of San Domenico. “Powerful purples, emerald greens and yellows unlike the nuanced shades of the 17th century.”
In Forlì will also be exhibited works by Italian masters who inspired the Pre-Raphaelites, such as Lamentation over the dead Christ by Fra Angelico, like, how Madonna of the Square by Andrea Del Verrocchio, and other surprises… An event and also the opportunity to discover this provincial town but full of cultural stimuli.
The other treasures of San Domenico
Aside from the Pre-Raphaelites, the San Domenico complex is worth a stop. Originating in 1200, it has undergone stories, modifications and expansions. Closed to the public in 1867, it has undergone a very long and careful restoration since 1996. And, in addition to the major exhibitions, it also houses the Civic Art Gallery (FB: Museumsforli) with 14 works by Palmezzano (1459-1539), the great painter from Forlì who, during his artistic travels, also left masterpieces in Florence and Venice. And in Forlì of course, in the thousand-year-old basilica of San Mercuriale, with a 15th century cloister and in other churches. On the site emiliaromagnaturismo.it, all the places in Emilia-Romagna where his works can be found are indicated.
The work is a work of art
The historic Romagnoli Palace in Forlì houses the civic collections of the 20th century. With a section dedicated to the painter Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964) and the collectionverzocchi.com which is a very special collection of works of art whose theme is work “in the fields and in the workshops” signed by big names , Aligi Sassu, Renato Guttuso, Ottone Rosai, Filippo De Pisis.
Good food: where to go
Aperitifs, tastings and supplies of regional products, from wines to cold meats and cheeses, all in a unique and very central location, labaitadelbuongustaio.com. Wine tastings also in a place other than the wine merchant: Bakery in Piazza Cavour 36, where you will buy bread, focaccia or taste them accompanied by wine and bubbles (Here is the link).
Those looking for fine dining and contemporary cuisine can go for lunch or dinner at Benso, also in Piazza Cavour at 7 a.m. (bensofood.com). Those who prefer traditional menus should choose the small Hidden osteria, old butcher's shop, where there is no shortage of cappelletti or tagliatelle with Mora romagnola ragù, meatballs with herbs and generous plates, to be combined with a judicious choice of Sangiovesi (Facebook: Osteria-Nascosta). Or you can enter the Predappio hills to stop at Osteria Bartonga (see the link), another address for DOC Emilia-Romagna menus.
…And good night
The very central suites inspired by the seasons are contemporary, but not minimal, or even spectacular. lestagioniluxurysuite.com (126-180 euros) with a large terrace (73 m2) where breakfast is served in summer. Design and light colors rather in the b&b cortelivia.it (105-190 per suite, euros).
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For shopping
A classic from Romagna, rust printed canvases with traditional patterns and some modern touches from ilguado.com. Handmade, contemporary or retro costume jewelry, including French bakelite hair clips at Anna Annae via Mameli, (Fb: Anna-Annae). Other artisanal jewelry, made with recycled materials, on Japanese paper, inspired by children's drawings from artefatti.biz. Which is located in via Giorgio Regnoli, a central street yet degraded until sculptures and beautiful murals transformed it into an open-air art gallery. And where there is a nice one bedroom B&B, Fb: Casa-Tina-bed-breakfast.
