Antonio Canova, from San Gemini to the rest of the world: "We value the bond between the artist and the territory".
It was presented on Sunday 18 December in San Gemini (Terni), at the Fresco Gallery of the Grand Hotel San Gemini the book “Canova – The possessions of San Gemini”, edited by Luciana Iannaco. A text that tells how the territory of San Gemini was a source of inspiration for various works that they then made famous Canova on the international scene.
The presentation was attended by Antonio Tacconi, entrepreneur at the head of the group of the same name, Luciana Iannaco, curator of the work, Elena Santilli, researcher at the Fedrigoni Fabriano Foundation, Stefania Zeppieri, restorer of cultural heritage, and the culture councilor of the Municipality of San Gemini, Federica Montagnoli.
Luciana Iannaco highlighted the sculptor's relationship with San Gemini, which began in 1780. “After Canova was appointed inspector of Fine Arts, he arrived at San Gemini. Canova's half-brother, Giovanbattista Sartori, was a crucial figure in the relationship between the artist and San Gemini. Right here Canova lived in a palace with fifty rooms, which, when he and his brother were in Rome, was guarded by the palace guards."
Several anecdotes revealed during the presentation. Elena Santilli, regarding the letters preserved in the Fredigoni Foundation, confirmed: “There are around thirty letters from Canova, exchanged with the founder of Fredigoni, Pietro Miliani. Among other things, the sculptor was also an excellent entrepreneur: in Rome he had a printing press, because he printed his sketches, and also sold them abroad. With wallpaper he wanted to furnish both his home and his studio in Rome”.
Stefania Zeppieri instead he revealed some details of the work carried out in Palazzo Canova: “Inside we found a huge map, hanging on the wall. We cleaned it up and secured the tears. The paper is Dutch, at the top there is Canova's heading, with indication of parcels, land and other".
Antonio Tacconi he then confirmed the importance of valorising territorial riches. “After the works of Piero Gauli exhibited here, we collaborated in the creation of this volume on Antonio Canova. If we don't know the history of the places where we live, how can we tell them to our children? We published a book in 2009, which illuminates the relationship between Canova and San Gemini. In the two hundredth year of the artist's death, we managed to remember Canova with this other publication".
Canova's works are exhibited in various museums, including the Correr museum in Venice; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; the Louvre museum in Paris; the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg; at the National Gallery in Washington.
The Canova volume:
The possessions of San Gemini can be purchased at the Grand Hotel San Gemini and in the other facilities of the group. It was created by the Tacconi-Ottelio group and the cultural association “Antonio Canova '91”, with the patronage of the “Antonio Canova” Gypsotheca Museum, which wanted to be close
to this project thanks also to Vittorio Sgarbi, President of the Canova Foundation of Possagno. Thanks go to the Arvedi Buschini Foundation, the Municipality of San Gemini and the Gambini Assicurazioni UnipolSai group.
The other exhibition:
In the meantime, in the rooms of the Fresco Gallery of the Grand Hotel San Gemini, the exhibition dedicated to the painter Piero Gauli continues, which will remain open to the public until January 31st.
Palazzo Santacroce – Grand Hotel San Gemini Via Duomo, 4 – San Gemini (Terni)
T. 0744 243454
For information and registration: Tacconi-Ottelio Group Press Office Email: stampa@tacconiottelio.com
T .: 0744 243454
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