The National Gallery of Liguria is enriching its collections with a work of significant historical and artistic value: the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, attributed to Donato de’ Bardi and likely made in the 1530s. The panel work will be presented to the public on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at Palazzo Spinola, with speeches by Alessandra Guerrini, director of the National Museums of Genoa and Regional Directorate of Museums Liguria, and Gianluca Zanelli, director of the National Gallery of Liguria. The painting, which emerged only recently, represents an important testimony to the activity of Donato de’ Bardi, a painter of noble origins from Pavia, whose production is still limited and of great interest today. Trained in the cultural milieu of the Visconti court, the artist settled in Genoa, where he is documented as early as 1405 as the owner of a workshop in the Banchi district. His Genoese career was marked by numerous commissions, including the decoration of rooms in the House of San Giorgio and the creation of altarpieces, probably also intended for the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
In the recently acquired panel, the Gospel episode is set within an apse characterized by elements typical of medieval Genoese architecture. The alternation of black and white ashlars and the cross of St. George imprinted in the keystone indicate that the work may have originally been intended for a sacred building in Genoa or Liguria. Critics agree in placing the making of the panel in de’ Bardi’s Genoese period, recognizing influences from Franco-Flemish painting, which circulated in Liguria during the early 15th century. The acquisition of The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple confirms the function of the National Gallery of Liguria as a point of reference for the enhancement of Liguria’s artistic heritage and expands knowledge of 15th-century painting in the region. The work will be accessible to the public with free admission subject to availability; reservations are recommended by writing to palazzospinola@cultura.gov.it.
Palazzo Spinola observes the following opening hours: Tuesday 13:30-19:00; Wednesday through Saturday 9:00-19:00; Sunday, December 7 10:00-19:00 as part of the #Domenicalmuseo initiative; Monday, December 8 13:30-19:00 (Royal Palace 13:30-23:00); Tuesday, December 9 closed; Wednesday, December 10 9:00-23:00 (Royal Palace 9:00-19:00); Sunday, December 14 10:00-18:00. Last admission is allowed 30 minutes before closing.
The single ticket of the National Museums of Genoa, valid for Palazzo Spinola, Palazzo Reale and the current exhibition, costs 12 euros, with reductions to 2 euros for 18-25 year olds and free for under 18 and eligible persons. The visit also includes the exhibition St. George. The Story of a Knight Saint from the East to Genoa, hosted at the Royal Palace - Falcone Theater until March 1, 2026.
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| The National Gallery of Liguria acquires a masterpiece by Donato de' Bardi |
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