On Wednesday, 5 March 2025, at 16.00 the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1) is holding scientific readings Light from Italy, in which three Italian art experts will introduce the concept and content of the upcoming exhibition Light from Italy: From Fattori to Morandi, also providing a broader insight into the history of Italian art of the 19th–20th centuries.
5 March 2025
16.00–18.00
Main building of the Latvian National Museum of Art /
Conference Hall (1st floor)
Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1, Riga
An exhibition Light from Italy: From Fattori to Morandi, which will take place at the Latvian National Museum of Art (LNMA) from 5 July to 26 October 2025, is one of the largest Latvian–Italian cooperation cultural projects, as well as one of Riga’s cultural priorities in 2025. A substantial collection will travel to Riga from the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) in Florence – 86 masterpieces from the permanent exhibition and holdings of the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) Gallery of Modern Art, ranging from the unification of Italy in 1861 up to the interwar period of the 20th century.
The works of Italian artists in the exhibition will be presented in dialogue with late 19th century and Classical Modernist heritage from Latvia. Thus, this project is noteworthy not only for being the first time such an ambitious artwork selection from the Uffizi Gallery is exhibited in Northern Europe, but also for the involvement of prominent art historians from Italy in the research of the collection of the Latvian National Museum of Art.
Leading Italian art historians will participate in the first scientific readings, organized with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Riga. The co-curator of the forthcoming exhibition, art historian Dr. art. Guicciardo Sassoli will talk about the project’s scientific concept and main themes, his work in studying the artistic heritage of Italy and Latvia as well as his experience in cultural diplomacy. Meanwhile heads of the Pitti Palace Gallery of Modern Art, Dr. art. Elena Marconi and Dr. art. Vanessa Gavioli, will introduce the audience to stories about Italian art in the 19th and 20th centuries through the collections at Palazzo Pitti.
Further sessions of the Light from Italy scientific readings are planned for July and October during the exhibition.
The readings are intended not only for professionals in the field – art historians, but also for all who wish to improve their understanding of Italian art and explore the intersections of Latvian and Italian culture.
The event will be held in English.
Admission fee: free of charge
Limited seating (70 seats).
No prior registration required.
Please arrive at the museum 20–15 minutes before the start of the event.
Programme of the readings:
16.00–16.10
Introductory words
Federico Palmieri, First Secretary of the Embassy of Italy in Riga
16.10–16.40
The exhibition Light from Italy, Le Gallerie degli Uffizi and the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga: research purposes, comparative art history and cultural diplomacy
Dr. art. Guicciardo Maria Sassoli de’ Bianchi Strozzi Cavina
Guicciardo Sassoli (b. 1980) is one of the most notable Italian young-generation art historians and curators. He studied historical and artistic heritage at the University of Bologna, focusing on the history of art criticism and collecting from the 19th century to the present. Curator from the Italian side of the Riga exhibition Light from Italy: From Fattori to Morandi.
16.40–17.10
The 19th century art through the masterpieces of the Gallery of Modern Art of Uffizi
Dr. art. Elena Marconi
Elena Marconi (b. 1971, Florence), following her studies at the University of Florence, worked at the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape in Bologna and the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence. She earned her doctorate degree for research on the 19th-century Florentine sculptor Luigi Pampaloni.
17.10–17.40
A sight on the 20th century art of the Uffizi at Palazzo Pitti
Dr. art. Vanessa Gavioli
Vanessa Gavioli (b. 1972, Modena) studied at the University of Florence and gained professional experience at the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape in Florence before joining the museums at Palazzo Pitti. She specializes in post-Macchiaioli painting and earned her doctorate degree for research on art critic Mario Tinti.
Vanessa Gavioli and Elena Marconi have authored many publications and specialize in the art history of the 19th–20th century. Together, they head the Pitti Palace Gallery of Modern Art, which represents the most important artistic currents of 19th century and early 20th century Italian art holding one of the richest and most significant art collections from this period. Both researchers are participating in the implementation of the Riga exhibition project Light from Italy: From Fattori to Morandi from the Italian side.
17.40–18.00
Q&A Session
