Guerrieri and Quaglia Dialogue at Monza's Villa Reale Chapel

The chapel of the Villa Reale in Monza has reopened to the public with a harmonious dialogue between ancient and contemporary art. From the cathedral of Fossombrone, closed after the earthquake, comes Giovanni Francesco Guerrieri's 'Vergine con il bambino e sant'Anna' (1627). The painting subtly modifies conventional iconography—the Virgin's black veil barely stands out against the dark Caravaggesque background—alluding to the mourning that originated the commission. Around the painting, Gianluca Quaglia (born Magenta, 1978) has created an installation that is both an autonomous work and a device for viewing Guerrieri's piece. At the center of the room, a raised platform scattered with small sculptural elements places the visitor face to face with the 17th-century painting; on the sides, two painting-sculptures where small points of light emerge from the darkness. The installation reflects on the construction of point of view and the influences that determine perception of the world, aligning with the dual reading of Guerrieri's painting—devotional or mournful depending on the viewer's gaze.