x10|09|15 - Bizarre yet scientifically accurate, 16 examples of the fantastic composite heads painted by Giuseppe Arcimboldo are featured in this exhibition, their first appearance in the United States. The unusual heads are composed of plants, animals, and other objects. Additional works, including drawings by Leonardo and Dürer, small bronzes, illustrated books and manuscripts, and ceramics, will provide a context for Arcimboldo’s inventions, revealing his debt to established traditions of physiognomic and nature studies. The exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington. The exhibition is part of ITALY@150, a series of activities in Washington, DC, and throughout the United States, that celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and the long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

Links: NGA's introduction to the exhibit

Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi's remarks at presentation

Schedule: National Gallery of Art, Washington, September 19, 2010–January 9, 2011

|CiaoAmerica.net|