Faces in time. Portraits from five centuries
A selection of portraits from the museum's collections
The exhibition “Faces in Time. Portraits and Figures from Five Centuries,” curated by Domizio Cattoi, presents selections of portraits from the museum's collections, made over the course of five centuries.
From paintings, drawings and sculptures from the late 16th century to those of the mid-20th century, the exhibition tells how portraiture is not only a way of immortalizing the face, but a means of exploring psychology, the ways of representing power and the canons of beauty in different eras.
Through the works on display, it emerges how the art of portraiture has always reflected society, exalting the prestige of those being portrayed and immortalizing the “motions of the soul,” that is, the deepest emotions and thoughts.
In addition to these aspects, the exhibition also investigates the evolution of aesthetic tastes, particularly regarding the idea of female beauty.
A visual and narrative journey that invites reflection on the evolution of portraiture as a representation of personal and collective stories, between imitation, idealization and memory.
