On Monday, 26 May, within the event “Days of Italy” held at Madlena Art Palace, an interesting cultural and artistic programme was organized to provide the audience with the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage and tradition of the Republic of Italy. At the beginning of the programme, the guests were addressed by Zorica Rakić, director of Madlena Art Palace, and Roberto Cincotta, director of Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade.
The first item on the agenda of the programme was a thematic lecture on Italian art from 19 century. The lecturer was professor Stefano Zuffi, renowned art historian, whose topic was entitled Following Canova – Art in Italy and Europe at the Time of Romanticism. As a starting point, professor Zuffi took exhibits from the museum collection of antiquities of Madlena Art Palace, describing spreading and the global impact of Italian art in the course of history. Professor Zuffi finished his studies of art history at the University in Milan. He is the author of numerous books in the area of art history and culture, while his publications are printed and distributed in millions of copies and in several foreign languages. Following the lecture of professor Zuffi, the guests of Madlena Art Place had the opportunity to watch a documentary on the person and work of Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova, directed by Francesco Invernizzi. Canova was the greatest sculptor of Italian neo-classicism. His works are characterized by idealized beauty, harmonious composition, and exceptional marble-processing skill. Canova frequently presented mythological and historical figures, such as Napoleon I Bonaparte, his sister Pauline (Bonaparte) Borghese, George Washington, and others. Works of Antonio Canova are kept at the most prestigious museums world-wide, such as the Louvres, Hermitage, Borghese Gallery, National Gallery in Washington, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, etc.
