Elliott Erwitt's First Palermo Exhibition at Palazzo Reale

The Fondazione Federico II presents the first Palermo exhibition of American photographer Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023), a Magnum member since 1953, at Palazzo Reale. Curated by Biba Giacchetti and Gabriele Accornero, the show features 180 images: 115 prints and over 70 projected on monitors. The display places iconic black-and-white works in the Sala Duca di Montalto and a rich color selection along the walls. The exhibition spans Erwitt's career, from celebrity portraits (Marilyn Monroe, Jacqueline Kennedy, Arnold Schwarzenegger) to political figures (Richard Nixon, Nikita Khrushchev), social commentary (racial segregation in 1950s America), and intimate family scenes. Notable works include Monroe's blurred 1960 Nevada shot, the famous 1963 portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy at JFK's funeral, and a 1955 California beach kiss reflected in a car mirror. The exhibition diverges from the long-running touring show 'Icons' by offering a more retrospective approach tailored to the venue. It runs alongside other recent Italian retrospectives at Forte di Bard (2016), Reggia di Venaria (2019), and Museo Diocesano di Milano (2022). The article also critiques the Fondazione Federico II's reliance on popular names and suggests a need for more research-driven, original projects to support Sicily's contemporary art scene.