The online exhibition “Pathos. Values, passions, virtues”, available from January 30 to March 31, 2024 on www.pathos-raccolte.it, presents 80 masterpieces by over 60 artists. These works explore the passions, values and emotions of significant female figures in ancient history.
Curated by Angelo Mazza, art historian, the exhibition investigates the female iconography of antiquity and the Old Testament. The works come from the rich art collections of the Foundations and Savings Banks.
The exhibition is a free initiative, promoted by the Commission for Cultural Heritage and Activities of Acri and created as part of R'Accolte, the largest Italian multimedia catalogue.
The event highlights works by artists such as Elisabetta Sirani, Guercino, Parmigianino, and others, from 31 banking foundations. Among the themes addressed are female figures such as Cleopatra, Lucretia, Eve, who embody strength and heroism.
The works on display include paintings, engravings, majolica, bronzes and terracottas, covering a period from the 16th to the 20th century.
Mazza, in the exhibition catalogue, highlights how the works represent a variety of female virtues, from dignity to courage, offering exemplary models. The works, distributed over a broad time span, show essential moments of historical narration.
Since its launch in 2012, R'Accolte has made accessible over 15.000 works, catalogued according to international standards, belonging to 78 collections. With this new project, a new phase of cultural valorization is inaugurated through virtual exhibitions, offering the public innovative ways to explore art collections.
Donatella Pieri, president of the Acri Commission, underlines in the catalogue that the project aims to increase knowledge and reconstruct historical events, contributing to the conservation of the artistic heritage.
The exhibition is organized into 10 virtual rooms, each dedicated to different female figures symbolizing specific values and virtues. The first room hosts Artemisia, Sofonisba, Porzia, and Pero, symbols of courage and loyalty. The second room is dedicated to Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt. The third room features Lucrezia, a symbol of dignity and sacrifice.
In the fourth room we find the Sibyls, figures of wisdom and prophecy. Eve, symbol of knowledge and risk, is in the fifth room. The sixth room presents Potiphar's wife, symbol of seduction and deception.
Sarah and Hagar, symbols of cruelty and redemption, are in the seventh room. The eighth room is dedicated to Sarah and Rebecca, symbols of hope and union. The ninth room hosts Susanna, symbol of honesty and justice. Finally, the tenth room features Deborah, Jael and Judith, symbols of rebellion and audacity.
The exhibition includes a digital catalogue, video interviews, and multimedia content. Live events, such as art history lessons and children's workshops, will be organised in the participating Foundations.
Banking Foundations, represented by Acri, are non-profit entities committed to cultural promotion. Since 2000, they have invested over 7,5 billion euros in art, culture and cultural heritage, reflecting Article 9 of the Italian Constitution and the 2005 Faro Convention.
Article published on 29 January 2024 - 12:21
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