Batoni's 'Minerva' Installed at Palazzo Cini for 10th 'Ospite a Palazzo'
On display at Palazzo Cini in Venice is Pompeo Girolamo Batoni's artwork 'Minerva Infuses the Soul into the Human Figure Molded in Clay by Prometheus' (1740-1743), part of the tenth edition of 'Ospite a Palazzo', organized by Fondazione Giorgio Cini. This piece, illustrating a moment from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', will remain accessible until September 27, 2026, thanks to the collaboration with Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca and Fondazione Centro delle Arti Lucca. Commissioned by Marquis Lodovico Sardini, the painting was completed over three years and delivered in November 1743. Since its inception in 2014, the program has showcased works by distinguished artists. Luca Massimo Barbero highlighted the painting's significance to the Cini collection. The exhibition can be found at Campo San Vio 864, Venice.
Key facts
- Pompeo Girolamo Batoni's 'Minerva Infuses the Soul into the Human Figure Molded in Clay by Prometheus' (1740-1743) is exhibited at Palazzo Cini, Venice.
- The exhibition is part of the tenth edition of 'Ospite a Palazzo' by Fondazione Giorgio Cini.
- The painting will be on view until September 27, 2026.
- The work is a loan from Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca and Fondazione Centro delle Arti Lucca.
- The subject is from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', depicting Prometheus and Minerva.
- The painting was commissioned by Marquis Lodovico Sardini of Lucca and delivered in November 1743.
- The program 'Ospite a Palazzo' started in 2014 and has featured works by Bronzino, Lotto, Guardi, Mantegna, Uccello, Bellotto, Gentileschi, and van Dyck.
- Luca Massimo Barbero, director of the Istituto di Storia dell'Arte, commented on the Venice-Lucca connection.
Entities
Artists
- Pompeo Girolamo Batoni
- Agnolo Bronzino
- Lorenzo Lotto
- Francesco Guardi
- Andrea Mantegna
- Paolo Uccello
- Bernardo Bellotto
- Artemisia Gentileschi
- Antoon van Dyck
- Ovid
Institutions
- Palazzo Cini
- Fondazione Giorgio Cini
- Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca
- Fondazione Centro delle Arti Lucca
- Istituto di Storia dell'Arte
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Lucca
- Rome
- San Vio
- Campo San Vio