Palazzo Madama. Arts and Crafts in Italy, 6th–19th Century
From May 22 to August 24, 2025, the Art Museum RIGA BOURSE (Doma laukums 6, Riga) will host the exhibition “Palazzo Madama. Italian Art and Crafts 6th–19th Centuries” from the collection of the Madama Palace Museum in Turin, created with the support of the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation.
The excellence of Italian style, unanimously admired throughout the world, has its roots in centuries of refinement of ideas and techniques in every field of sumptuary arts. The exhibition presents over 100 masterpieces from workshops and manufactories throughout Italy from the 6th century and late Middle Ages to the 19th century, with particular emphasis on Renaissance art from the 15th and 16th century, providing extensive evidence of the artists’ mastery and genius.
The selection includes Murano glass, Venetian enamels and decorated bindings for the Doges’ documents, Renaissance bronzes and cameos, metalwork from Lombardy, maiolica from Tuscany, porcelain from Naples, textiles and lace, furniture from Piedmont, as well as intricate micro-carvings in wood, coral and ivory.
The exhibition is a curatorial collaboration between the Museum of Ancient Art at Palazzo Madama in Turin and the Art Museum RIGA BOURSE. It is based on the rich collections of Palazzo Madama, complemented by selected objects from the collections of the Latvian National Museum of Art.
The exhibition texts, prepared by colleagues from Palazzo Madama, outline the specifics of various craft traditions. Full information can be found in the exhibition catalogue, which also serves as an extensive art historical study.
