Felice Giani's Bicentennial Exhibition at Palazzo Bentivoglio

Palazzo Bentivoglio in Bologna hosts 'Felicissimo', a monographic exhibition dedicated to Felice Giani (1758–1823), marking the bicentennial of his death. Curated by Tommaso Pasquali, the show presents 44 works, including drawings and paintings, arranged on custom-designed panels by architect Franco Raggi with gold backgrounds and blue felt, divided by red zigzag seams. The exhibition highlights Giani's training in Bologna, his base in Rome, and his itinerant workshop known for decorative cycles. Two rediscovered tondi—Trionfo di Cibele and Trionfo di Bacco—are on loan from private owners. Sections explore Giani's self-portrait, his prize-winning drawing at the Accademia di San Luca, his relationship with antiquity and masters like Correggio, Ludovico Carracci, and Salvator Rosa, landscapes (including two unpublished sheets), and major decorative projects such as the Ratto di Ganimede. Late works show continuous reworking of themes. Four contemporary works from the permanent collection by Flavio Favelli, Franco Raggi, Pablo Bronstein, and Luigi Ontani engage in dialogue with Giani. The exhibition also connects to Giani's 1810 decoration of Palazzo Bentivoglio's dining room, owned by Alberto and Gaia Vacchi.