Palazzo Pretorio di Prato Celebrates 10 Years with New Exhibition Space

The Museo di Palazzo Pretorio in Prato marks its tenth anniversary since reopening as a museum in April 2014 with the inauguration of a new exhibition hall on the first floor. The space, titled 'Dai depositi al museo: dipinti del Quattrocento e del Cinquecento,' features seventeen previously unseen works from the museum's storage, highlighting lesser-known artists active in Prato between the 15th and early 16th centuries. Director Rita Iacopino explains that these pieces, while little-known, demonstrate the widespread influence of major artists like Filippo Lippi and Ghirlandaio on local workshops. The anniversary program includes a performance trilogy 'La scena del Pretorio' curated by theater historian Teresa Megale, featuring dramaturg Elena Bucci (April 15), choreographer Virgilio Sieni (May 15), and the Compagnia Teatrale Universitaria 'Binario di Scambio' (May 30). Additionally, two more rooms are planned: one for Etruscan artifacts from Gonfienti and another to revive the former Museo del Risorgimento. Other events include the exhibition 'Nel Segno e nel Colore' dedicated to artist Primo Tamagnini, curated by Giulia Ballerini (May 24). The museum's trajectory includes past shows such as 'Da Donatello a Lippi. Officina Pratese' (2013-14) and 'Hi Woman! La notizia del futuro' (2021-22) by Francesco Bonami, as well as multisensory projects like 'Miraggi' (2018) by Veronica Caciolli with sound artists Gea Brown, THX, and Dan-I.