ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Bill Viola's The Greeting at Rome's Foro Romano in Dialogue with Pontormo

exhibition · 2026-10-12

Beginning on 11 October, Bill Viola's video installation, The Greeting, is showcased at the basilica of Santa Maria Antiqua in the Foro Romano, paying tribute to Jacopo da Pontormo. Viola, who passed away in 2024, originally unveiled this work in 1995 during the Venice Biennale, drawing inspiration from Pontormo's Visitazione (1528-1532), currently displayed at the Scuderie del Quirinale. The Visitazione illustrates the encounter between the expectant Mary and Elizabeth, characterized by suspended figures and emotional intensity. Viola's modern interpretation features three women dressed in contemporary clothing, extending a 45-second scene to over ten minutes to emphasize intricate details. This initiative, organized by the Parco archeologico del Colosseo with Electa, is set to continue until 6 February 2027, coinciding with the Pontormo exhibition, which concludes on 7 February 2027.

Key facts

  • Bill Viola's The Greeting goes on view at the basilica of Santa Maria Antiqua in the Foro Romano from 11 October
  • The work was first presented in 1995 at the United States Pavilion of the Venice Biennale
  • Viola drew inspiration from Pontormo's Visitazione, painted between 1528 and 1532
  • The Visitazione comes from the Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo in Carmignano
  • The painting is displayed in the final room of the Pontormo exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale
  • The Greeting's action lasts 45 seconds but is slowed to over ten minutes of projection at 300 frames per second
  • The project was realized by the Parco archeologico del Colosseo with Electa
  • The Pontormo exhibition runs until 7 February 2027 and the video installation until 6 February 2027

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Scuderie del Quirinale
  • Parco archeologico del Colosseo
  • Electa
  • Palazzo Strozzi
  • Biennale di Venezia
  • Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo
  • basilica di Santa Maria Antiqua

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Foro Romano
  • Carmignano
  • Venice
  • Florence

Sources

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