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Giotto's Bardi Chapel Reopens in Florence as Biennale de Lyon and Remedios Varo Survey Launch

cultural-heritage · 2026-09-18

The Bardi Chapel within Florence's Basilica of Santa Croce has reopened following a four-year restoration, showcasing Giotto's frescoes from the early 14th century that illustrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Emanuela Daffra, superintendent of the Opficio delle Pietre Dure, and art historian Donata Grossoni from the Opera di Santa Croce provide insights into the conservation efforts. Concurrently, the 18th Biennale de Lyon, themed "To pass from one dream to another," commences on Saturday, 19 September, and will be on display until 13 December. Curated by Catherine Nichols, it features Laure Prouvost's Hovering Caress Amère (2022-2026) at the Grandes Locos. Additionally, a significant survey of Spanish Surrealist Remedios Varo opens Friday, 18 September, at the Louisiana Museum in Humlebæk, Denmark, showcasing over 70 pieces and running until 10 January 2027 before moving to the Moderna Museet in Stockholm. The exhibition highlights Varo's The Juggler (The Magician), created in Mexico City in 1956, with insights from co-curator Tere Arcq.

Key facts

  • The Bardi Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence reopened after a four-year restoration
  • Giotto painted the chapel's frescoes of St Francis of Assisi's life in the early 14th century
  • The 18th Biennale de Lyon, titled To pass from one dream to another, opens on Saturday, 19 September and runs until 13 December
  • Catherine Nichols, an Australian-born, Berlin-based curator, devised the Lyon Biennale edition
  • Laure Prouvost's Hovering Caress Amère (2022-2026) is installed at the Grandes Locos for the biennale
  • Remedios Varo's The Juggler (The Magician) was made in Mexico City in 1956
  • The Varo survey at the Louisiana Museum in Humlebæk, Denmark opens 18 September and runs until 10 January 2027
  • The Varo exhibition travels to the Moderna Museet in Stockholm in 2027

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Basilica of Santa Croce
  • Opera di Santa Croce
  • Opficio delle Pietre Dure
  • Biennale de Lyon
  • Grandes Locos
  • Louisiana Museum
  • Moderna Museet
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Horst Arts & Music
  • ADAGP
  • VISDA
  • Scala

Locations

  • Florence
  • Italy
  • Lyon
  • France
  • Mexico City
  • Mexico
  • Humlebæk
  • Denmark
  • Stockholm
  • Sweden
  • Berlin
  • Germany
  • New York
  • Paris

Sources