Segantini Exhibition in Bassano del Grappa Recontextualizes the Artist

A major exhibition at the Museo Civico di Bassano del Grappa, curated by Niccolò D'Agati, aims to reposition Giovanni Segantini (1858–1899) within the cultural currents of the late 19th century, countering the myth of his isolation. The chronological survey begins with his Milanese origins, featuring early works including the previously unseen 'Vado a teatro' and still lifes like 'Oca appesa' (1881). It explores his relationship with gallerist Vittore Grubicy De Dragon, his pastoral Brianza period, his divisionist technique developed in Savognin, and his final years in Maloja where he created a 'naturalistic symbolism'. Highlights include rarely seen paintings such as 'Ninetta del Verzée' (last exhibited in 1956), 'Ritratto di Cesare Grubicy De Dragon', and 'Sole d'autunno' (recently acquired by the Museo di Arco). Non-invasive diagnostic studies reveal complex layering in 'Ave Maria a trasbordo' and 'Ritorno dal bosco'. The exhibition also displays preparatory drawings and loans from the Musée d'Orsay (Jean-François Millet's 'La pastorella') and institutions in Amsterdam (three 'sowers' by Millet, Matthiijs Maris, and Vincent van Gogh). The installation is designed by Italian-Palestinian artist and photographer Mustafa Sabbagh, who focused on light and chromatic divisionism to enhance the alpine spirituality of the works.