Maurizio Cattelan is supporting research at the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research (IRCCS) with *WINDOW, 2025*, a work inspired by the famous banana from *Comedian*. The artwork will be auctioned on Thursday, October 8, in Milan, at Marièncò, during the third edition of the “Chiamiamola per nome” Charity Dinner, an initiative created to raise funds for research into rare diseases that remain undiagnosed. The auction will be conducted by Cristiano De Lorenzo, General Manager of Christie’s, who has long been a supporter of the Institute.
Created in 2025 using watercolor on paper, *WINDOW, 2025* measures 70 x 50 centimeters and is a one-of-a-kind piece. Cattelan donated it to the Institute; the work depicts his 2019 sculpture *Comedian* —a banana secured with adhesive tape—superimposed on Caravaggio’s *Deposition of Christ *. The work thus brings together two references belonging to different eras, artistic languages, and concepts: Michelangelo Merisi on one hand, and Cattelan on the other, through a composition that juxtaposes the depiction of suffering in Caravaggio’s painting with one of the most recognizable symbols of the contemporary artist’s oeuvre.
The visual dissonance arises from the insertion of the image of a banana into a scene linked to the death of Christ. According to the Charity Dinner project, the contrast between tragedy and irony symbolically evokes the possibility of opening a space of hope precisely where pain seems definitive. This refers to people living with rare diseases who, in the absence of a diagnosis, rely on scientific research to understand their condition and identify the most appropriate treatment options.
The “Chiamiamola per nome” Charity Dinner was strongly championed by ambassadors Francesca Milani, Anji Aron, and Maria Bussolati with the goal of bringing institutions, individuals, and companies closer to scientific research, transforming knowledge into concrete support for health. The third edition, under the creative direction of Paola Manfrin and featuring music by Luca Baldini, will also engage the world of contemporary art collectors, transforming the dinner into a collective performance.
The first two editions of the initiative helped fund two major scientific instruments dedicated, respectively, to the study of kidney diseases and neurological disorders. For the 2026 edition, the funds raised will instead be directed toward research on undiagnosed rare diseases, with the goal of offering a chance at a diagnosis to those who have not yet been able to identify their condition.
Cattelan’s artwork will also be up for bid by those who cannot attend the event in person. On the Charity Dinner website, it is possible to submit a preliminary bid, and those unable to attend the event in person can participate in the auction by phone. Bidders will be contacted during the auction and will be able to place their bids live. The auction for *WINDOW, 2025* will therefore take place on October 8 during the Charity Dinner in Milan. All information on how to participate and on pre-bids is available on the event’s official website. For further information, please contact eventi.comunicazione@marionegri.it.
“I’m very happy that, for once, my work can translate into something tangibly useful,” commented Maurizio Cattelan. “I hope the Mario Negri Institute continues to search—ideally until they find an answer. Because, in the end, giving a name to rare, undiagnosed diseases is already a good start.”
“There are no words to express our deep gratitude to Maurizio Cattelan,” emphasized Giuseppe Remuzzi, Director of the Mario Negri Institute. “For those awaiting a diagnosis, finally knowing what they have means a great deal: it means escaping uncertainty, understanding which path to take, and finally being able to look to the future with hope. This is why we continue to conduct research every day: to transform what we do not yet know into concrete answers for patients and their families. We are certain that his generosity will contribute significantly to giving hope to the many patients who are currently awaiting a diagnosis.”
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| Maurizio Cattelan donates a work inspired by the banana from *Comedian* to the Mario Negri Center |
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