The Museo di Salò, MuSa, is hosting a new exhibition that explores the artistic nuances of the first half of the 20th century through works by renowned artists. Titled “From Splendor to Uncertainties 1910 | 1950 Stories from a Private Collection,” the exhibition is the result of a collaboration between MuSa and a significant local private collection.
Curated by Federica Bolpagni, Lisa Cervigni, and Anna Lisa Ghirardi, the exhibition represents an initiative to enhance the value of private collections in Brescia. Through over fifty selected works, the public can access a usually unseen heritage.
The exhibition begins with the atmospheres of the Belle Époque, characterized by the splendor and magnificence of the era. The music room is dominated by the Viennese piano M. Schott, which belonged to the composer Marco Enrico Bossi. Around this centerpiece, there are paintings by artists such as Angelo Landi, Cesare Monti, and Emilio Rizzi.
Among the most significant pieces is Anselmo Bucci’s “Study for ‘Il violoncellista Crepax’,” which portrays the father of the famous cartoonist Guido Crepax. The work “Odeon” by the same author depicts Bucci with friends during a performance at the Odeón theater in Paris.
The narrative continues by exploring the post-war period, marked by the uncertainties that followed the initial enthusiasm. The present works illustrate the trust in progress and the glorification of war typical of the time. Emblematic examples are “Biplano” and “Trincea sul lago” by Angelo Landi, as well as “S.t. (Guerriero)” by Adriana Bisi Fabbri.
The exhibition also features Futurist avant-garde works such as “Composizione” by Ardengo Soffici and “Al caffè” by Leonardo Dudreville. Gerardo Dottori represents the second Futurism with “Ellisse di una lucciola.”
The exhibition continues with works from the 1920s and 1930s that reflect the overcoming of the First World War and the consequent return to artistic order. The Novecento Group is well represented by six of its seven founders: Mario Sironi, Leonardo Dudreville, Anselmo Bucci, Gian Emilio Malerba (with the work “Pegli”), Pietro Marussig (Still Life), and Ubaldo Oppi (Nude at the Window).
Authors such as Mario Tozzi, Felice Casorati, and Cesare Monti show the influence of Novecento in their works. Still life is a recurring theme in the works of Atanasio Soldati, Cagnaccio di San Pietro, and Mario Tozzi.
The 1930s and 1940s are portrayed through works that reflect both the approval and the censorship of the fascist regime. Among these, five drawings by Sironi stand out, including the study for the female figure with a book and a musket.
Corrado Cagli is present with a fragment of his work “Seconda Cronaca del tempo,” part of the cycle created for the II Quadriennale in 1935.
The exhibition concludes with bitter irony thanks to “Dono Americano” by Anselmo Bucci, which depicts American milk cans against the desolate backdrop of bombed Milan.
From September 18 to November 4, 2024, the exhibition will be enriched by the “Capture Room” section, dedicated to Francis Bacon. Three major works by the Irish artist will be exhibited in two specially arranged rooms to create an intimate encounter between the visitor and the artwork.
The MuSa – Museo Civico di Salò, opened in 2015 in the restored spaces of the former Santa Giustina monastery dating back to the 16th century, offers a wide range of historical and artistic exhibitions. Located in the historic center near Lake Garda, it includes sections dedicated to the Roman era up to the Italian Social Republic (1943-1945).
Opening hours:
– From March 23 to May 31: Friday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm
– From June 1 to September 30: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-8 pm
– From October 1 to October 31: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm
– Extraordinary openings: August 12, November 4
Ticket prices:
– Full: €9
– Reduced: €7
– Reduced for children: €5
– Groups (15-35 people): €7
– Schools: €5
Italian Version
