De•compositions Group Exhibit at St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich Village, New York City

Ongoing Exhibit at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy, New York

Sicilian Theater in Little Italy: The Return of the Manteo Puppets

For more information, visit the Italianamericanmuseum.org

Annual Angel Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

November 26, 2024 – January 6, 2025

Metropolitan Museum of Art

1000 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York

Exhibition Overview

On view in the majestic Medieval Sculpture Hall, this beloved holiday tradition features a 20-foot blue spruce adorned with 19 cherubs, 59 angels, and an additional 71 figures that evoke 18th-century Naples Nativity scenes.

The installation is set in front of the eighteenth-century Spanish choir screen from the Cathedral of Valladolid in Gallery 305.

For more info visit www.metmuseum.org

Orgoglio e Memoria: Emigrazione dal Meridione Exhibit at the Italian Cultural Institute in NYC

The Jousting Armor of Philip I of Castile is Now on View at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC

Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Special Installation: The Jousting Armor of Philip I of Castile

May 11th, 2023 - April 1st, 2026
Now on view at The Met Fifth Avenue, Gallery 371

Among the various mock combats fought by knights and noblemen in tournaments, the joust was one of the most spectacular. The joust of peace required highly specialized armor that was unsuited to any other use, and usually made by the greatest armorers due to the exceptional metalworking skills required. This special installation features an armor for the joust of peace of Philip I of Castile (1478–1506) on loan from the Imperial Armoury, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.

A rare example among surviving armors for its refined decoration, it is also remarkable in that it was intended for a teenager. Its owner Philip I became duke of Burgundy, count of Flanders, and the ruler of additional lands, albeit in name only, upon his birth. He began wearing armor when he was just six years old, and this one was made for training and participating in tournaments around the time that he turned 15, when he was declared ready to rule. Through marriage, Philip became king consort of Castile and the first member of the House of Habsburg to rule over Spanish territories. His jousting armors were key to shaping his public image of a capable leader.

For more information visit www.metmuseum.org

Ongoing Exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum: Sketching Among the Ruins

The Roman Theater, Taormina, 1825, oil on paper, mounted on board,
by Louise-Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont (1790-1870)

October 25, 2022 through November 12, 2023

Sketching among the Ruins by the mid-eighteenth century, the practice of sketching outdoors with oil paint had become popular among landscape artists. Furthermore, a study trip through Europe, often centered on a stay in Italy, had evolved as a customary part of artists’ training. Italy’s cities and countryside, filled with remnants of ancient monuments, offered artists stimulating subject matter, and the portability of oil sketching facilitated the firsthand study of ruins and their surroundings. While some painters carefully recorded these structures’ textures and colors, as well as how light fell upon them, others invented scenes by reimagining remains of the past or by envisioning the future deterioration of the present. Whether real or fictional, ruins and their surrounding landscape offered poignant juxtapositions—at once testimonies to the majesty of human achievement and to the inevitable triumph of time over our endeavors.

Sketching among the Ruins highlights oil sketches given jointly to the Morgan and the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Eugene V. Thaw, a trustee of both institutions.

The Morgan Library and Museum

Also see:
• Briganti Field Trip: Maker of Middle-Earth Exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum

Special Exhibition of Giuseppe De Nittis at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC

Breakfast in the Garden by Giuseppe De Nittis

An Italian Impressionist in Paris: Giuseppe De Nittis

The Phillips Collection, in collaboration with the Pinacoteca Giuseppe De Nittis, the City of Barletta, Italy, and the Puglia Region (Italy), presents the first exhibition in the US devoted to the work of Giuseppe De Nittis (1846-1884), an Italian painter whose career flourished in Impressionist Paris in the 1870s and 1880s. The exhibition is only shown at the Phillips and features approximately 70 artworks.

Although not well known outside of Italy, De Nittis is a central figure to the aesthetic and institutional upheavals of 1870s Paris. His urban scenes of Paris feature innovative arrangements and plein-air subjects painted with a detailed realism that depicts a sophisticated and economically booming city—a choice unique to De Nittis’s work. New research is presented in the exhibition about De Nittis’s friendships with Edgar Degas and Edouard Manet, and his early collaborations in Naples with a young Gustave Caillebotte. Work from all periods of De Nittis’s career is featured along with select works by his most important artist friends in Paris.

 Plan your visit 

The Phillips Collection

1600 21st Street, NW,

Washington, DC

New Parish Museum in Ripabottoni, Molise Celebrates Local and National History of the Kingdom of Naples through the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies

San Rocco by Paolo Gamba, Chiesa di
S. Maria Assunta, Ripabottoni (CB)

On 16 August 2022, on the occasion of the patronal feast of Saint Rocco in Ripabottoni, at 6:00 pm the “borough of stone” as the town is known, the Parish inaugurated the new Paolo Gamba Museum, housed within the Santa Maria Assunta church. The Museum is named for Ripabottoni native artist Paolo Gamba (1712-1782) who had a flourishing studio there together with this father Giambattista, who spread throughout Molise, Abruzzo and Puglia the style and manner of the great Neapolitan baroque painter Francesco Solimena (1657-1747) of whom he was a student. Ripabottoni was a local commercial center for grain, silk and horse trading in the Kingdom of Naples and thrived under the patronage and leadership of the Francone princes of Ripa who brought many talented people from Naples to Molise to build and decorate public and private property, and who likewise brought a retinue of Ripese talent to Naples to decorate their town houses and other projects. Ripabottoni retains its characteristic stone buildings and is still part of the Diocese of Larino. Paolo Gamba lovingly painted many works still viewable in the church, including canvases depicting a Madonna of the Purgatory, Madonna of the Rosary, St Rocco, a Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple and a number of frescoes such as the Virtue and Prophets in medallions. For the church of Maria della Concezione also in Ripabottoni, he painted an Immaculate Conception, an Assumption of the Virgin, an Annunciation, and medallions with stories of the New Testament.

The Museum is the fruit of Mons. Gabriele Tamilia, the parish priest of Ripabottoni who was aided by art historian Gabriella Paduano and by local volunteers Giuseppe Silvaggi, Leonardo Ciarla and Franco Paduano, who have tirelessly worked to bring together many objects belonging to the parish available for visitors to enjoy. On exhibit are sacred vestments, historic liturgical objects, reliquaries, candelabra, processional crosses, books and objects which document the life of the parish over the centuries. Books by and memorabilia relating to Ripa native and parishioner Cav. Pietro Ramaglia (1802-1875) the Europe-wide famous doctor and professor of medicine who became personal physician to King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies, are also on display. Mons. Tamilia and Prof. Paduano are also authors of a book on the Francone family and of another on Dr. Ramaglia.

During the ceremony Cav. Giuseppe Mammarella, archivist of the Diocese of Termoli-Larino explained why the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a national landmark, designed and build by noted Neapolitan architect Ferdinando Sanfelice, of the noble Molisan family and friend of the Francone family. For centuries the church has been the center of devotion also for Saint Crescenzo whose relics rest there and for Saint Rocco, who is figured in a well known painting by Gamba. Prof. Gabriella Paduano illustrated the importance of such small museums of sacred art and history. Mayor Orazio Civetta announced that the Comune of Ripabottoni is donating to the Museum a bronze of Paolo Gamba depicting the urn containing the body of the Martyr Saint Crescenzo. The Museum is the greatest expression of the preserved heritage of the town and region and aims to showcase the history and spirituality of the community.

X Edition of the Pio Alferano Prize Honors Men and Women From the World of Culture with Patroness HRH Princess Beatrice di Borbone Delle Due Sicilie

HRH Princess Beatrice di Borbone viewing the ongoing exhibit Imitanda: The myth of arceology and the dream of the Grand Tour in the Di Giaimo collection
Photo courtesy of Corriere Borbonico

This year in a splendid area of the San Costabile di Castellabate Castle in the Cilento region of Campania the ceremony for the Premio Pio Alferano 2022 was held, organized by Constantinian Knight Cav. Prof. Vittorio Sgarbi, with HRH Beatrice di Borbone delle Due Sicilie, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, as Patroness. 

Princess Beatrice was accompanied by the Delegate of Naples and Campania of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George (SMOCSG), Donna Federica De Gregorio Cattaneo Dei Principi di Sant'Elia. The Prize, sponsored by the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, was attended again this year by many personalities such as the Mayor of Castellabate and illustrious guests such as the noted journalists Marcello Veneziani and Cesara Buonamici; the Director of the Pompei Excavations, Gabriel Zuchtriegel; the Abbot of Montevergine, Don Riccardo Guariglia; the singer songwriter Enrico Ruggeri; the author of “Osho”, Federico Palmaroli; and the actor Bruno Torrisi.

Mostre Edizione 2022, from 3 July to 30 September 2022,
Castello Dell'Abate - Castellabate (SA)

Princess Beatrice, accompanied by Don Leopoldo De Gregorio Cattaneo and by Dr. Gerardo di Meo, then inaugurated the magnificent exhibit of Bourbon era furnishings from the private collection of the antiquarian Saverio di Giaimo, and "Sgarbeide" a photographic collection covering the numerous trips of Vittorio Sgarbi in Italy and abroad through the work of Nino Ippolito, his press officer, both on view in the Castello dell'Abate through 30 September 2022.

The Fondazione Pio Alferano inspired by the values of the General of the Carabinieri Pio Alferano, seeks to promote knowledge of artistic and cultural heritage through exhibitions and soirées such as this to honor figures who distinguish themselves during the year for their activities promoting culture.  

Source: www.fondazionepioalferano.it

Frazetta Museum reopens on May 17th and 18th

After nearly five years, the Frazetta Art Museum will be opening once again.

Frank Frazetta Jr. and his wife Lori are now the sole owners of the estate property located in Pennsylvania, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains.

“We are working diligently," says Frank Jr., "to meet our anticipated opening date of Saturday and Sunday, May 17th and 18th, 2014.” From 10 am–5 pm.

The weeks following will have our extended summer hours which are Thursday through Sunday, 10 am–4 pm.

The opening weekend of the 17th and 18th,  will have complimentary food and beverages on hand as a tribute to the fans. Admission on these two days will be what ever you would like to contribute towards the preservation of the art museum.

Admission will be $15 year round for ages 12 and up. Children 12 and under will be $10.

For more info: http://www.frazettaartmuseum.com/

Pompeii the Exhibit

Life and Death in the Shadow of Vesuvius

Model of Pompeii, Naples National Archaeological Museum

On March 17th Italy celebrated 150 years of unification. Instead of throwing tomatoes at a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, I decided to use them for sauce and spend the day celebrating my own Southern Italian heritage instead. This brought me to Pompeii the Exhibit: Life and Death in the Shadow of Vesuvius at Discovery Times Square. Unfortunately, photographs were not allowed so I will use pictures taken during my trips to Pompeii and Naples National Archaeological Museum to help illustrate this review.

The tour begins with a quick introductory film about Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD. It's one of four entertaining videos on view, including an interactive virtual eruption complete with vibrating floor and smoke machines. A larger than life marble statue of a dour Roman matron dressed in a traditional stola greets guests emerging from the mini-theater. Used as a tomb decoration, the funereal statue is a fitting way to begin an exhibit about the "tomb of a civilization."

Bacchus and Vesuvius,

Naples National Archaeological Museum

Next is a makeshift grotto and nymphaeum, a Roman fountain dedicated to a local water nymph, or Naiad. It is followed by a herm of the Roman patrician Marcus Fabius Rufus and four plaster friezes of Greco-Roman gods. According to i-Italy's interview with exhibit consultant Judith Harris one academic has criticized the inclusion of these replicas. There is concern that they may suggest to visitors that the other objects on display are also not authentic, which is not the case. In my estimation this should not be a problem because each object is clearly labeled. However, that being said, I must admit during my first visit to Pompeii I didn't realize the statue of The Dancing Faun at the Casa del Fauno was a copy until I saw the original later in the Naples National Archaeological Museum. So the academic does have a legitimate concern.

The exhibit boasts an impressive collection of over 250 items from all walks of Roman life. Pots, coins, surgical tools, scales, fishhooks, amphorae, anchors, lamps, furniture, jewelry, etc. are all on display — there is even a loaf of carbonized bread and examples of Roman graffiti on slabs of stone. My personal favorites were a pair of bronze Lares familiares statuettes and a highly ornate gladiator's helmet. Except for its discoloration and missing plumage the fierce looking Samnite-style helmet appeared to be in near-perfect condition and ready to be donned in the arena.

Drunken Silenus, Naples National Archaeological Museum

Displayed prominently among the surviving portions of decorative wall paintings is an exquisite bronze statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. Equated with the Greek Dionysus, the much-venerated deity and his drinking companion Silenus are well represented in the principal gallery. One panel depicting Bacchus, his consort Ariadne, and Silenus reminded me of the painting of Io at Canopos from the Sanctuary of Isis (Naples National Archaeological Museum). The similarity in the expressive features is striking. Painted in what is termed the Fourth, or "Fantastic," Style of later Pompeian painting, I believe the same artist could have executed the works.

Reminiscent of Pompeii's famous lupanaria, the exhibit has a small replica room of a brothel, complete with lectus cubicularis (chamber bed) and miniature fresco of a prostitute pleasuring two pigmies. Separated from the rest of the exhibit, the sexually explicit nature of the room hints at the "scandalous" Secret Cabinet. The only thing missing was the phallic street markers pointing the way.

Phallus relief,

Pompeii

The highlight of the show is undoubtedly the collection of skeletal remains and plaster body casts of the victims. Buried beneath the hardened ash and rubble the decomposing corpses left cavities where they fell. During excavation the Neapolitan archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli (1823-1896) poured plaster into the pockets, forming the macabre figures. Most disturbing (to me) were the casts of a writhing guard dog and the horrific expression preserved in the visage of a young child. The gruesome collection is the largest ever and a poignant reminder of the price paid for posterity's fortune.

A victim from the Garden of the Fugitives, Pompeii

I've been lucky enough to visit Pompeii twice so far, and visiting this exhibit brought back so many fond memories. The $25 admission fee is well worth the price considering you can only see most of these artifacts by visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum or the Naples National Archaeological Museum. Pompeii the Exhibit: Life and Death in the Shadow of Vesuvius runs through September 2011 and I highly recommend it.

Discovery Times Square is located at 226 West 44th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

http://www.discoverytsx.com/pompeii