Silvestro Lega's Mazzini portrait returns to Italy for Rome exhibition
Silvestro Lega's renowned painting 'Gli ultimi momenti di Giuseppe Mazzini' is currently on loan to Italy from the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, USA. Created on March 12, 1872, in Pisa, the artwork portrays Mazzini in his final hours before passing away. Lega, an influential figure among the Macchiaioli, painted this piece just two days after Mazzini's death, which occurred as George Brown. Although it was initially criticized for highlighting Mazzini's vulnerability, the painting now serves as the focal point of the exhibition 'L'ultimo ritratto: Mazzini e Lega, storie parallele del Risorgimento' at the Vittoriano's Sala Zanardelli in Rome, open until September 8, 2024, showcasing over sixty pieces and documents across two floors.
Key facts
- Silvestro Lega's painting 'Gli ultimi momenti di Giuseppe Mazzini' is on loan from the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA.
- The painting depicts Giuseppe Mazzini on his deathbed hours before his death.
- Lega painted it on March 12, 1872 in Pisa at the home of Pellegrino Rosselli and Janeth Nathan.
- Mazzini died two days earlier under the pseudonym George Brown.
- The exhibition 'L'ultimo ritratto: Mazzini e Lega, storie parallele del Risorgimento' runs until September 8, 2024 at the Vittoriano's Sala Zanardelli in Rome.
- The show is curated by Edith Gabrielli with historical consultancy by Giuseppe Monsagrati.
- Over sixty works and documents are displayed, including Mazzini's glasses, sword, and shawl.
- The Vittoriano was inaugurated in 1911 for the 50th anniversary of Italian unification.
Entities
Artists
- Silvestro Lega
- Giuseppe Mazzini
- Giovanni Fattori
- Telemaco Signorini
- Francesco Hayez
- Giovanni Migliara
- Massimo D'Azeglio
- Giuseppe Sacconi
- Giovanni Spertini
Institutions
- Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
- Ministero della Cultura
- VIVE (Vittoriano e Palazzo Venezia)
- Istituto per la Storia del Risorgimento Italiano
- Electa
Locations
- Providence
- United States
- Rome
- Italy
- Pisa
- Vittoriano
- Sala Zanardelli
- Modigliana