Palazzo Ducale has recently inaugurated a new permanent exhibition that enhances the spaces on the ground floor of the Castle of San Giorgio, starting from October 26, 2024. This initiative includes the addition of a collection of Renaissance painting and sculpture, thereby completing the visitor route with the inclusion of the castle courtyard, the porticoes, and the eight rooms located on the ground floor.
## Renovation and Restoration
In conjunction with the new exhibition, restoration work has been carried out on the frescoes present in the castle’s portico. Future plans also include the arrangement of the lapidary, which will showcase a selection of Renaissance marbles. The exhibited works primarily come from state and civic collections, resulting from an agreement between the involved institutions. These pieces provide a glimpse into the vibrant artistic season that took hold in Mantua around 1450.
## Artists and Works on Display
The centerpiece of the exhibition is represented by Andrea Mantegna, a key figure in the Mantuan artistic scene in the second half of the 15th century. His influence is reflected in the displayed works, including those by Donatello, Luca Fancelli, and Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi, known as l’Antico. The renovated spaces include historic rooms once inhabited by Marquis Francesco II Gonzaga and are located on the northern side of the castle.
Among the many artists featured are Domenico Morone and Francesco Bonsignori; the latter is noted for his connection to Perugino. Gian Francesco Tura, on the other hand, brings influences derived from the artistic innovations introduced by Correggio.
## A Journey Through the Renaissance
The exhibition offers a pathway that stretches from the mid-15th century to around 1520, the year when Federico II Gonzaga took control of the city and invited Giulio Romano to contribute to the subsequent artistic development. Approximately seventy pieces are on display, including tempera and oil paintings, removed frescoes, sculptures, and engravings that narrate the cultural richness of the era.
Among the works restored for this exhibition is the **Adoration of the Shepherds** by Girolamo Bonsignori, acquired at auction from Christie’s in New York in May 2024. This painting is considered a masterpiece of the artist and has been described as a summation of his poetic vision.
## Exclusive Masterpieces
Another extraordinary piece on display is the **Polyptych by Cima da Conegliano**, originating from the Church of Sant’Anna in Capodistria. This work depicts the Madonna on a throne accompanied by angelic musicians and other sacred figures arranged harmoniously according to Renaissance tradition.
The altarpiece was transferred to Italy in 1940 for safety reasons during World War II and was subsequently entrusted to the Museo del Palazzo Ducale after various transitions through other locations.
Italian Version
