Gigapixel replica of Carracci's Carraccina arrives in Cento


Ludovico Carracci's work, fundamental to the young Guercino, is on display in the exhibition 'Guercino. The Ludovisi Era in Rome.' At the Civica Pinacoteca Il Guercino in Cento, a faithful replica keeps the link with the work alive, thanks to state-of-the-art technology.

Until January 26, 2025, The Madonna and Child between Saints Joseph, Francis and the patrons, known as La Carracina, will be featured in the exhibition Guercino. The Ludovisi Era in Rome, hosted at the Scuderie del Quirinale and dedicated to the Roman period of Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino (Cento, 1591 - Bologna, 1666). The work of Ludovico Carracci (Bologna, 1555 - Bologna, 1619), fundamental to understanding the young Guercino’s artistic formation, represents one of the high points of Emilian painting. To make up for its temporary absence from the Civica Pinacoteca Il Guercino in Cento, a faithful replica of La Carracina was installed, created by Haltadefinizione, a Panini Cultura Group company.

Thanks to digitization with gigapixel technology, every detail of the painting was captured and reproduced accurately. Haltadefinizione oversaw all stages of the project, from scanning to the creation of the physical replica, and made the ultra-high resolution image also available online for scholars and enthusiasts. To date, the Civica Pinacoteca, the cultural heart of the city of Cento, holds the world’s largest collection of works by Guercino and his workshop. Closed for more than a decade following the 2012 earthquake, it was reopened to the public last year after careful restoration. The initiative, promoted by the Municipality of Cento with the support of the Emilia-Romagna Region, is part of a project to enhance local heritage.



Carraccina's retort
The replica of the Carraccina
Carraccina's retort
The replica of the Carraccina

“Realizing the importance of the Carraccina within the exhibition itinerary, we decided to fill this ”gap“ in an innovative way, taking advantage of what is decidedly cutting-edge technology. Not only do we have a faithful replica but a replica that can be touched and seen up close. This opens up a panorama of possibilities for interaction with the work not only from a physical but also from an educational point of view, which we will know how to exploit in the future when the original returns because the replica will remain the property of the Pinacoteca,” says Silvia Bidoli, Councillor for Culture, Tourism, Theater, European Planning, Territorial Promotion and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Cento (FE).

Gigapixel replica of Carracci's Carraccina arrives in Cento
Gigapixel replica of Carracci's Carraccina arrives in Cento


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