From July 14, 2026, to January 10, 2027, the Castle of Brescia will host*La Grande Saggezza*, a retrospective dedicated to the Mexican photographer, marine biologist, and activist Cristina Mittermeier ( Mexico City, 1966). Held in the Grande Miglio complex, home to the Leonessa d’Italia Museum of the Risorgimento, the exhibition features over eighty photographs by the artist, one of the most prominent voices in contemporary nature photography. Curated by Lauren Johnston, the exhibition is sponsored by the City of Brescia and the Brescia Museums Foundation in collaboration with Gallerie d’Italia – Intesa Sanpaolo and the National Geographic Society.
The project continues the initiative launched by the Fondazione Brescia Musei with the exhibition *In Praise of Diversity: A Journey Through Italian Ecosystems*, held in the same venue between October 2025 and February 2026 and dedicated to the diversity of Italian ecosystems and the balances that govern life on the planet. This new exhibition also uses photography as a tool for exploring reality, addressing themes related to the environment, biodiversity, and the relationship between humans and nature.
The collaboration with the National Geographic Society is one of the central elements of the initiative. The international organization supports research, exploration, education, and science outreach projects aimed at understanding and protecting the world’s natural heritage. Alongside it is Intesa Sanpaolo, a partner in numerous initiatives of the Fondazione Brescia Musei, which supports a project dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability issues.
The exhibition also serves as the summer preview of the first edition of Orizzonti – Environment, Climate, Biodiversity, A Possible Future, a science outreach festival scheduled to take place in Brescia from October 23 to 26, 2026. Organized by the City of Brescia in collaboration with the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Brescia Museums Foundation, the festival features the Unibs Foundation and Ambiente Parco as scientific partners and is part of the Brescia Scienza 2026 program, promoted by the Unibs Foundation, the Brescia Community Foundation, and the Blaumann Foundation. The initiative aims to address topics such as the environment, climate change, biodiversity, and future prospects through an approach that is rigorous yet accessible to the general public.
The decision to dedicate an exhibition to Cristina Mittermeier is part of the Fondazione Brescia Musei’s photography program, which in recent years has featured exhibitions dedicated to artists such as Axel Hütte and Martin Chambi, confirming its interest in photography as a medium capable of combining artistic exploration, historical documentation, and scientific analysis.
The exhibition venue also plays an important role in the project. The “Grande Miglio del Castello” is presented as a space where historical heritage, nature, and scientific outreach engage in dialogue with the Montagnola Botanical Garden, the Castle Park, and other cultural and scientific institutions in the area, including the Brescia Amateur Astronomers’ Union. The goal is to highlight the monumental complex as a place dedicated to knowledge and reflection on environmental issues.
The exhibition is sponsored by Palazzoli S.p.A., a Brescia-based company specializing in the production of components for electrical installations and lighting systems. The company provides financial support for the educational activities and workshops associated with the exhibition, enabling elementary and middle school students in Brescia to participate free of charge in educational programs focused on environmental protection, biodiversity, and sustainable energy. The company also states that it employs production processes certified according to environmental criteria, using no toxic materials, producing no harmful emissions, and powered by energy generated by photovoltaic systems.
The exhibition, which is free to the public for its entire duration, brings together over eighty images documenting the work Mittermeier has produced throughout her career. A marine biologist as well as a photographer, the artist has dedicated much of her work to documenting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, wildlife, and communities that live in close harmony with natural environments.
The exhibition is organized around three thematic areas: the underwater world, the terrestrial world, and tribal peoples. Through these themes, the exhibition explores the concept of “enoughness,” a term coined by Mittermeier herself to encourage reflection on the use of natural resources and the significance of a lifestyle based on balance rather than unlimited consumption.
The photographs depict environments ranging from oceans to forests, from polar regions to coastlines, highlighting the relationships that connect ecosystems, human beings, and biodiversity. At the same time, they document the traditions, rituals, and knowledge of the indigenous communities with whom the photographer collaborates in various parts of the world, underscoring the value of this inherited knowledge and its ability to preserve natural balances.
The project places particular emphasis on the role of the oceans, which are considered essential for climate regulation, air quality, and global food security. The images highlight how the health of marine and terrestrial ecosystems is closely linked to the choices made by contemporary societies, raising the issue of collective responsibility in the protection of natural resources and biodiversity.
Cristina Mittermeier is also the co-founder and president of SeaLegacy, an organization founded in 2014 that brings together photographers, filmmakers, and writers committed to raising awareness about ocean conservation. The organization promotes communication campaigns and projects dedicated to the protection of marine ecosystems, which are considered essential to life on the planet.
“Immersing oneself in Cristina Mittermeier’s photographs,” says Laura Castelletti, Mayor of Brescia, “is an experience capable of changing the way we see the world: it enables us to perceive our existence as part of a whole that must remain in balance. Her work, in fact, possesses an expressive power that engages and transforms. There could be no better way to launch the first edition of the Orizzonti Festival, an initiative dedicated to sustainability, biodiversity, and environmental protection—strongly championed and organized by the City Administration in collaboration with the Brescia Museums Foundation, Ambiente Parco, the Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Environmental Council. We believe that the challenges of the coming years will require courage and vision: that is why we wanted this exhibition to be truly accessible to everyone, with free admission for the entire duration of the exhibition. Large-scale projects are only possible through intensive teamwork like this, which has seen the Brescia Museums Foundation work alongside Intesa Sanpaolo and the National Geographic Society, with the invaluable contribution of Palazzoli Spa. My most sincere thanks go to all the partners who made this extraordinary achievement possible: once again, it is the ability to network that makes all the difference.”
“With her photographs of intense beauty, Cristina Mittermeier takes us on a journey that stirs emotion and reflection,” says Michele Coppola, Executive Director of Art, Culture, and Historical Heritage at Intesa Sanpaolo. “Following its premiere in Turin and stops in Palermo and Vicenza, the exhibition arrives in Brescia, bringing with it a message of care and respect for the planet. Photography, with its extraordinary expressive power, is a valuable tool for engaging diverse communities and audiences, reaffirming the cultural and social commitment of the Gallerie d’Italia. This project is an invitation to rediscover the wonder of nature and to recognize the shared responsibility we have to preserve it for the future.”
“We are proud to bring Cristina Mittermeier’s powerful vision to life through *La Grande Saggezza*,” says Cynthia Doumbia, Senior Director of Business Development at the National Geographic Society. “Her extraordinary visual narratives serve as a powerful call to action for environmental protection. We hope these images will inspire every visitor to recognize, with renewed awareness and hope, their role within the global ecosystem.”
“Hosting the Cristina Mittermeier exhibition at Brescia Castle,” emphasizes Francesca Bazoli, President of the Brescia Museums Foundation, “marks a very significant milestone inour efforts to transform our historic venues into spaces for contemporary reflection. Through the photographs of a pioneer of nature photography—images capable of generating a profound emotional impact—the Brescia Museums Foundation reaffirms its civic commitment to addressing crucial issues such as sustainability and the protection of ecosystems. This initiative not only enriches our city’s cultural offerings with an event of international caliber but also transforms the Castle into a stage where art becomes a tool for rediscovering the indissoluble bond between humanity and the planet, offering citizens and visitors an extraordinary opportunity for growth and awareness.”
“Among the goals of a serious company deeply rooted in its community—in addition to adequately compensating employees and paying taxes—is also giving back to the local area,” concludes Luigi Moretti, President of Palazzoli S.p.A. “This giving back takes place freely. Free from constraints and pre-established guidelines. In this case, Palazzoli—which has always respected the environment and safety—was captivated by the images and settings depicted by Cristina Mittermeir and by the concept of ‘enough’ with which the artist has accompanied her work. The word ‘abbastanza’ is synonymous with ‘sufficient,’ but it’s more beautiful. Because while ‘sufficient’ provides a measure—a mathematical standard to indicate a state—‘abbastanza’ indicates a level of quality and quantity that requires no adjustments or improvements. And it immediately conveys a state of satisfaction and contentment. A state toward which we all, always, strive. A collection of images and words that have earned our esteem and our support.”
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| Brescia is hosting a major retrospective of Cristina Mittermeier's work, featuring over 80 photographs |
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