Oliviero Rainaldi's Exhibition 'In Verso' Explores Sacred and Identity Themes in Certaldo

An exhibition titled 'In Verso. Frammenti narrativi' by Oliviero Rainaldi is being held at Palazzo Pretorio in the medieval village of Certaldo Alto. Curated by Beatrice Audrito and Davide Sarchioni, the show is promoted by the Municipality of Certaldo and organized by Exponent with TerraMedia APS. It features over thirty works, including historical pieces and recent productions, providing a broad view of Rainaldi's contribution to contemporary Italian figuration. The exhibition runs from February 21 to May 17, 2026. The title 'In Verso' suggests a reversal of typical viewing directions, encouraging observers to reconsider their relationship with time and memory. The artworks, comprising sculptures and paintings, engage with the venue's historical context, including frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries, rather than merely occupying the space. Key pieces include new sculptures in plaster and polystyrene at the entrance, a reinterpretation of the Last Supper focusing on emotional tension, and works like 'Conversazioni' and 'Malebolge' that explore themes of silence and moral weight. The display concludes in the Sala del Vicario with 'La Bona Dea' and a large plaster angel. Rainaldi's practice integrates drawing, painting, and sculpture to probe human conditions, emphasizing the human figure as a symbolic site through gestures like prayer and waiting. The exhibition links sacred themes with identity, presenting them as fragile and evolving processes. Certaldo, known as the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, hosts the CertaldoArte project, which fosters dialogue between contemporary creation and historical architecture, making Palazzo Pretorio a fitting venue for this artistic dialogue.