Tuscany is home to some world-famous museums and galleries as well as churches and palaces with extraordinary collections that are known the world over and are immediate must-sees for those planning a vacation in Tuscany or to find a Tuscany villa. However, these well-known spots are not the only places to go to see art while in Tuscany. In fact, one might stumble across all kinds of incredible masterpieces all throughout the region from the Keith Haring mural painted on the side of an old church in Pisa to the examples of contemporary street art that dot cities such as Florence to random little chapels and tiny local museums that boast works by famous Old Masters. Or, you might find that a regional museum is playing host to a travelling exhibition or temporary loan of some astounding pieces from some of those more famous museums. One example of just such a regional museum and just such an exhibition is the Ex Cavallerizza in Lucca in the Piazzle Verdi, located in the stunning and historic city of Lucca, which is playing host to the, "I Pittori della Luce / Painters of Light," exhibition. Browse our villas with pools in Lucca and get booking today to see it for yourself this summer or in the early autumn before it closes!
A showcase of some one hundred works that have been gathered from both Italian and international museums and private collections and curated by Vittorio Sgarbi, "I Pittori della Luce / Painters of Light," remains open until the 2nd of October 2022. An exploration of the importance of light in 17th century painting (typified in the public imagination by the cinematic lighting of the works of Caravaggio), this exhibition showcases works by Pietro Paolini (who was one of the most important artists in Lucca in the new naturalistic school of the period) in his home town, alongside pieces by some many other famous names. Among these other artists there are examples by the likes of Pieter Paul Rubens, Jusepe de Ribera, Mattia Preti, Matthias Stomer, Pietro Ricchi, Trophime Bigot, Giovanni Serodine, Giovanni Domenico Lombardi, Artemisia Gentileschi, Orazio Gentileschi, Orazio Riminaldi, Orazio Borgianni, Giovanni Baglione, Paolo Biancucci , Rutilio Manetti, Niccolò Tornioli, Bartolomeo Manfredi, Giovanni Francesco Guerrieri, Simone del Tintore, Francesco Rustici, Antiveduto Gramatica, Valentin De Boulogne, Antonio Gherardi, Baccio Carpi, Angelo Caroselli, Pietro della Vecchia, Girolamo Scaglia, Giovanni Coli and Filippo Gherardi, Paolo Biancucci, and Caracciolo.
According to Sgarbi, "The exhibition starts from Caravaggio's revolution, a circumstantial one, on which Paolini certainly had to reflect, testifying to the most integral coherence among the painters of light,” and then goes on to explore the master of light’s influence on those that followed him and even instances in which he was surpassed by those who were so inspired by his work. As light is the true protagonist of the exhibition, the result and the showcase itself is a moving, evocative, and cinematic experience that is a real must for any art-lover who has found a luxury villa in Lucca and is planning on spending time in Tuscany before October this year.
“I Pittori della Luce / Painters of Light”
Cavallerizza di Lucca, Piazzale Verdi (entrance from Porta Sant'Anna)
Piazzale Giuseppe Verdi
55100 Lucca, Province of Lucca, Italy
lucca@contemplazioni.it
+39 389 2346010
Opening hours:
Daily from 10am to 8pm until the 2nd of October 2022 (please note, however, that the ticket office closes at 6.45pm)
Tickets:
Full ticket: €15 (audio guide included)
Reduced: €13 (audio guide included – for those under 18, over 65, university students, Unicoop Firenze members)
Student ticket: €6 (for students of all levels)
Group fee: €9 (for groups of 11 to 15 people)
Free for minors up to 6 years of age, disabled persons, and a companion for a disabled person who requires their presence.
