CORTONA, MARCH 26 – An exhibition “GIANO-CULSANS: Il doppio e l’ispirazione etrusca di Gino Severini” (“The Double and the Etruscan Inspiration of Gino Severini”), exploring the influence of the Etruscans on one of the most celebrated Italian painters of the 20th century, will travel from Milan’s Rovati Foundation to MAEC, Museum of the Etruscan Academy and the City of Cortona.
Palazzo Casali, Sede del MaecBorn in Cortona, Gino Severini (1883–1966) was a prominent figure of the Italian Futurist movement, currently presented in a major exhibition at GNAM (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna) in Rome, features several of Severini’s works. His deep personal connection with his hometown’s ancient history is the focus of a new exhibition-dossier curated by Sergio Angori, Paolo Bruschetti and Giulio Paolucci, which will will take place from March 30 to May 4 at MAEC. It is also a part of the initiative “Gino Severini and Cortona. An International Artist in His City” which will culminate in 2026 with celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the artist’s death.
Gino Severini, Natura morta con aringa e compostiera bluThe exhibition puts in one space the famous Etruscan bronze statuette of Culsans and Severini’s two-faced Janus (1962), accompanied by his painting Natura morta con aringa e compostiera blu (1946–47), with its black vases paying tribute to Etruscan buccero ceramics. Three preparatory studies in graphite on cardboard, on loan from artist’s daughter Romana Severini Brunori, and a posthumous casting, taken in 1996 also by her initiative, further enrich the exhibition. A publication featuring articles by Paolo Bruschetti, Sergio Angori, Giulio Paolucci, Romana Severini Brunori, Paolo Giulierini and Marco Belpoliti will support the exhibition.
On the eve of the exhibition’s opening, Professor Daniela Fonti, a contemporary art history expert from La Sapienza University and curator of the “Gino Severini and Cortona” project, will discuss with Romana Severini the life of this celebrated artist. The event will take place on March 29th at 4 PM in the beautiful Sala Medicea (Medici Hall) of Palazzo Casali. Admission is free (limited seating).
Etruscans’ impact on twentieth-century art has recently became a topical issue of broader discussion, resulting in other museum projects, such as the exhibition “Etruschi del Novecento” (“20th century Etruscans”), also at Rovati Foundation (December 7, 2024–March 16, 2025). @etruscantimes
