In Spilamberto an exhibition focus on Elisabetta Sirani, a painter in seventeenth-century Bologna

From Oct. 1 to 23, 2022, on the occasion of its 20th year of activity, Ossimoro Galleria d’Arte in Spilamberto (Modena) presents an in-depth exhibition dedicated to Elisabetta Sirani (Bologna, 1638-1665), among the most important painters of seventeenth-century Bologna. Curated by Sergio Bianchi, the exhibition entitled Elisabetta Sirani. Painter in 17th-century Bologna is organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Vignola, with the patronage of the Municipality of Spilamberto and the support of Ricognizioni sull’arte APS.

The exhibition will be held in two venues: in theOffice of the Mayor of the Municipality of Vignola, it will be possible to admire a masterpiece by the painter entitled The Three Virtues, signed and dated 1664, recently exhibited at the Uffizi Galleries, while the spaces of the Art Gallery in Spilamberto will display five paintings by Elisabetta Sirani, including a Magdalene, signed and dated 1658, and a Cleopatra, exhibited in 2021 at the Royal Palace in Milan. Introducing the exhibition in the Gallery will be a masterpiece by her father, Giovanni Andrea Sirani, a leading pupil of Guido Reni’s workshop.

“In twenty years of antiquarianism,” writes Sergio Bianchi, “I have had the good fortune and privilege of acquiring and dealing with three important paintings by the Bolognese painter who, in her brief existential parabola (she died at only 27 years old), was able to impose herself within the Bolognese School, carving out a leading role for herself. For the exhibition, these three works return to the Gallery, along with three other paintings by Elisabetta herself and her father Giovanni Andrea Sirani, all from private collections. Heartfelt thanks go to the Municipality of Vignola and Daniela Fatatis, Councillor for Culture, for embracing the project, allowing the public to view an extraordinary work (The Three Virtues) commissioned from the artist by Leopoldo de’ Medici and purchased in 2003 by the Municipality of Vignola, which still owns it.”

On the occasion of the exhibition, a catalog of the proposed works will be published, enriched by two previously unpublished contributions by Adelina Modesti and Massimo Pulini, which will be presented to the public as part of two lectures. Adelina Modesti, Senior Fellow in Art History, School of Communication and Culture at the University of Melbourne, will speak during the opening day on the theme La committenza di Elisabetta Sirani: i Medici ed il loro entourage; Massimo Pulini, art historian and professor of Painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna, will hold a talk on the theme Giovanni Andrea Sirani all’ombra di Elisabetta, scheduled for Saturday, October 22, at 5 p.m., at Ossimoro Galleria d’Arte. Admission to the exhibition and lectures is free and reservations are not required.

Ossimoro Art Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m. The Mayor’s Office at the City of Vignola is accessible on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. by reservation at segreteriasindaco@comune.vignola.mo.it.

For information: www.ossimoro.com

Image: Elisabetta Sirani, The Three Virtues (1664; oil on canvas, 139 x 165 cm)

In Spilamberto an exhibition focus on Elisabetta Sirani, a painter in seventeenth-century Bologna

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