Set for Nov. 8, 2025, the date of birth of Sir Denis Mahon (London, 1910 - 2011), is the date for the award ceremony of the International Essay Prize of the same name, which has reached a new phase in its journey. After more than a decade of management by the London-based The Sir Denis Mahon Foundation, the baton now passes to the International Study Center “Il Guercino,” Municipality of Cento (Ferrara), which has become the promoter of the initiative to collect and continue the moral legacy of the famous British art historian and collector. The 2025 edition also benefits from the contribution of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento.
Established in 2010 on the occasion of the centenary of Mahon’s birth, the Prize(here is the link to get all the information) is reserved for university students and young graduates aged 30 or younger at the time of application. The intent is to highlight the most original and relevant contributions in the field of art history, paying particular attention to the areas of research that distinguished Mahon’s work: the Italian seventeenth century, with a predilection for the works of Guercino and his school, the Carraccis, Caravaggio and Nicolas Poussin. But the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, as well as some leading figures in modern and contemporary art, are also among the cultural interests covered by the award.
The award consists of a scholarship worth 2,000 euros (before any statutory tax deductions), which will be awarded to the author or author of the essay judged most deserving by the committee. Participants must submit a completely unpublished work that has never appeared in print or digital form: manuscripts already published, even partially, in volumes, anthologies, journals, websites, blogs, social networks or other publishing channels are excluded.
The selection places great emphasis on impartiality. For this reason, when submitted, essays must be completely anonymous, devoid of any indication that could lead back to the author’s identity or institutional affiliation. Mentions of supervisors, acknowledgements, references to academic bodies or other formulas that could compromise the transparency of the evaluation process are not allowed. The metadata of digital files must also be reclaimed of any personal data. Otherwise, the papers will be automatically excluded.
Entries, written in Italian or English, should not exceed 10,000 words and may include images, provided they are in high quality and accompanied by appropriate captions and full bibliographical references. It is recommended that entrants follow the editorial guidelines of Burlington Magazine, one of the most influential professional journals internationally. The winning essay will be the subject of a public lecture given by the author himself or herself during the award ceremony, in the presence of an audience of experts and invited guests. Travel, food and lodging expenses necessary for participation in the event will be covered by the organizers. The venue for the meeting will be announced at a later date.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Submissions should be sent only by certified e-mail to the PEC address: comune.cento@cert.comune.cento.fe.it, indicating in the subject line: “Sir Denis Mahon Essay Prize - nomination.” Participants are invited to carefully consult the public notice on the website of the Municipality of Cento and the available supplementary documentation containing all the necessary information for the proper preparation of the application.
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