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Vatican Museums present 'I segni del sacro' with 20th-century graphic works

exhibition · 2026-04-27

At the Braccio di Carlo Magno, the Vatican Museums are showcasing 'I segni del sacro. A Roma' (The Signs of the Sacred. In Rome), an exhibition featuring 20th-century graphic art. This display includes works by renowned artists such as Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, and Salvador Dalí. It is part of a long-term initiative by the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art, which encompasses a collection of roughly 4,000 pieces. Curator Micol Forti pointed out that the delicate nature of paper restricts how long these works can be exhibited. Originating from Pope Paul VI's Collection of Modern Religious Art, established in 1973, the exhibition also emphasizes pieces by Marino Marini and Max Pechstein. Admission is free, with support from Barbara Jatta.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'I segni del sacro. A Roma' at Braccio di Carlo Magno, Vatican
  • Features 20th-century graphic works by Matisse, Miró, Chagall, Munch, Klee, Dalí, Casorati, Sironi
  • Based on survey of 4,000 works from Vatican Museums' graphic collection
  • Conservators Chiara Fornaciari da Passano and Cristina de' Medici Nardini assessed condition
  • Collection originated in 1973 with Collection of Modern Religious Art by Pope Paul VI
  • Original nucleus of 100 prints and 60 drawings expanded via donations and acquisitions
  • Exhibition organized in four thematic sections designed by architect Roberto Pulitani
  • Free admission; supported by Vatican Museums directed by Barbara Jatta

Entities

Artists

  • Henri Matisse
  • Joan Miró
  • Marc Chagall
  • Edvard Munch
  • Paul Klee
  • Salvador Dalí
  • Felice Casorati
  • Mario Sironi
  • Marino Marini
  • Max Pechstein
  • Francesca Cataldi
  • Duilio Cambellotti
  • Luigi Bartolini
  • Giorgio Morandi
  • Gian Lorenzo Bernini
  • Georges Braque
  • Elisabetta Masala

Institutions

  • Vatican Museums
  • Musei Vaticani
  • Braccio di Carlo Magno
  • Collezione d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea dei Musei Vaticani
  • Laboratorio Restauro Opere su carta
  • Collezione d’Arte Religiosa Moderna
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Vatican City

Sources