In Perugia the exhibition "The Golden Age"

From October 26, 2024 to January 19, 2025, an exhibition entitled "The Golden Age. The golden masterpieces of the National Gallery of Umbria meet Contemporary Art" takes place at the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia, a unique journey through nine centuries of art history, from the Middle Ages to the present day. This artistic path, conceived as a dialogue between past and present, is curated by Alessandra Mammì, Veruska Picchiarelli and Carla Scagliosi and sponsored by the Dicastery for Culture and Education of Vatican City.

 

 

The exhibition offers a selection of about fifty works, starring masters of the caliber of Duccio di Boninsegna, Gentile da Fabriano and the Master of San Francesco, whose medieval masterpieces are placed in dialogue with works by contemporary artists such as Carla Accardi, Alberto Burri, Andy Warhol and Michelangelo Pistoletto. This singular comparison between different eras, united by the theme of gold, a symbol of sacredness and power, allows us to explore the relationship between art and spirituality, between the divine and the earthly.

 

 

One of the highlights of the itinerary is the encounter between the Middle Ages and modernity, represented by the placement of Gustav Klimt's The Three Ages next to masterpieces by Pistoletto and Yves Klein. This masterpiece, a symbol of the emblematic use of gold, arrives on loan from the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome.

 

 

Gold, the eternal metal, a symbol of strength and incorruptibility, has always played a predominant role in the visual arts, transforming painting into a manifestation of the sacred and celestial light. Along the path of the exhibition, you can admire works that propose suggestions, perspectives and unprecedented comparisons, creating new meanings and interpretative horizons.

 

 

Among the most significant works is the Madonna and Child with Six Angels by Duccio di Boninsegna, which dialogues with Lucio Fontana's Spatial Concept, showing how gold becomes a symbolic bridge between past and contemporary.

In the field of goldsmithing and relics, the exhibition offers precious pieces such as the reliquary of Saint Juliana juxtaposed with the golden head of Marisa Merz, an example of how gold continues to be used to evoke power and sacredness even in modern art.

 

 

Finally, the exhibition closes with works that demonstrate how, even in modern and contemporary times, gold continues to inspire and arouse artistic interpretations, from textile art to liturgical vestments, passing through fashion and design. The exhibition layout at the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia, with its original star arrangement, creates an immersive and engaging experience. A catalogue produced by Silvana Editoriale accompanies the exhibition, with essays by illustrious scholars who delve into the key themes and concepts of the exhibition.

 

Edited by the Editorial staff, Avion Tourism Magazine

Text source and photo: Copyright © Press Office of the National Museums of Perugia-Regional Directorate of National Museums of Umbria

Photo credits indicated in the captions of the images.

Perugia photo: Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock

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