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exhibition of finest pieces of jewellery, Gonzaga Cameo exhibition, italian exhibition of jewellery, semi precious stones, precious glass obiects exhibitions, paintings Raphael, paintings Rubens, current art exhibitions in Italy, italian museums, art exhibitions in Italy, art works images, art gallery in Italy
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The Gonzaga built up an exceptional cabinet des merveilles at the Ducal palace of Mantua. For two centuries they were refined collectors of antiquities and modern art. Cameos and carvings, valuable goldsmithery, objects made of semi-precious stone and glass, and exotic curiosities played a part in confirming their power and intellectual standing. Like other Italian noble families, the Medici in Florence, the Este in Ferrara and the Sforza in Milan, the lords of Mantua began during the second half of the 15th century to develop a particular fondness for engraved precious stones.
Marchesa Isabella d’Este (1474-1539), creator of the famous Studiolo on the second floor of the San Giorgio castle, was responsible for considerably boosting the Mantuan collection. She acquired numerous pieces of great value, among which the priceless Gonzaga Cameo, dating from the 3rd century BC and depicting an imperial couple.
The showpiece of this splendid collection, the cameo charmed the court artists, from Giulio Romano to Peter Paul Rubens. In 1603 it was given by duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga (1562-1612) to Rudolph II of Prague. This marked the beginning of its travels, as it changed numerous pairs of hands, on a journey that carried it across Europe to Russia.
Held at Palazzo Te, the exhibition celebrates the cameo’s return to Mantua after almost 400 years. Also including paintings, sculptures, glass objects and jewellery, the exhibition illustrates the artistic and historic events surrounding the cameo.
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The Gonzaga Cameo
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Art exhibition held at Palazzo Te; precious objects and ancient jewellery exhibition in Italy. |
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Art exhibition: the works
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Paintings, precious gold and silver objects, ancient cameos, jewellery with precious stones in the art exhibition at Palazzo Te. |
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