The English Collector Sir Denis Mahon Makes a Generous Gift to the
Bologna Pinacoteca
PERCORSI del BAROCCO (Baroque Journeys)
is the romantic title the eminent collector and scholar of Bolognese seicento
painting Sir Denis Mahon gave to his exhibition. He is in a position to
call it whatever he likes really, having made a generous gift of seven
paintings to the Bologna Picture Gallery
'Baroque Journeys' is an exhibition studded with other new masterpieces
acquired by the gallery in the last ten years either through purchases
funded by the State or by donations from Italian commercial associations.
The focus is on just seven pictures from the Mahon collection including
an unpublished landscape by Annibale Carracci, Guido Reni's celebrated
"Sibyl", Domenichino's "Landscape with Boats" and Guercino's charming "Madonna
with Sparrow".
The paintings have been given to the Gallery by Denis Mahon ostensibly
to be kept in storage at Bologna after the current exhibition until the
time of his death. At the press conference held on 3rd November, Sir Denis
took a group of eminent Italian journalists and art historians (all female!)
on a personal tour of the paintings. Remarkable for a gentleman in his
80's he spoke in grammatically perfect Italian with great joy and affection
for each painting. Waving his walking stick in the air like an old ballet
master, he pointed out particularly beautiful passages of brushwork and
recounted stories of how and where he had discovered and acquired the paintings.
Immaculate in his bespoke pinstripe suit and seemingly in rude good health
he seemed to enjoy himself thoroughly. He was aware that perhaps not all
his audience were familiar with Baroque painting and so interjected his
commentary with historical tidbits. When discussing two large canvasses
by Reni, he explained that because they were unfinished it was unlikely
they were commissioned works that the artist would have beem obliged to
complete.
It is the ongoing ambition of this important regional museum and
of its Director Andrea Emiliani to "accrescono il patrimonio permanente";
increase the size of their permanent collection with works that originated
in Bologna. Works like Guercino's "Orazione nell'orto" originally from
the church of S.Margherita in Bologna which has now been acquired for the
collection.
Whilst at least one of
Denis Mahon's paintings (Reni's "Sibyl") has already been given to
Bologna with the condition that it can be shown in his lifetime the public
will only have the opportunity to view the remaining six pictures for the
duration of 'Percorsi del Barocco', although no closing date for this exhibition
has been published.
Other events at Bologna Pinacoteca...
A second related exhibition was launched Friday 12th November entitled
'Come
Nasce una Collezione" (How a Collection is Born) 1874-1932
Pinacoteca Nazionale Bologna:Disegni - which showcases Baroque drawings
from the permanent collection.
Musical recitals will be held at various
dates between 14th November and 28th December 1999 in conjunction with
lectures on the paintings in the Mahon collection.
For a full program please contact the Office 051/243222
R.LG in Bologna
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