An important masterpiece of the Flemish seventeenth century is on display in Chiavari

In Chiavari, as part of the Arte in Economica exhibition, the Società Economica di Chiavari, located at 19 Via Ravaschieri, invites the public to discover a work of great value: the Cabinet d’Amateur with iconoclastic donkeys, an oil on canvas by the famous Flemish painter Frans Francken II (Antwerp, 1581 - 1642). This large-scale masterpiece represents a space where the 16th-century amateur, a lover of art and science, gathered his collections and rare and precious objects.

The exhibition, part of the calendar of events devised by the board of the Economic Society, aims to promote and popularize the arts and treasures of the city and its territory. The event dedicated to the valuable piece will kick off on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ghio Schiffini Hall. The presentation is open to the public and will be attended by local and regional dignitaries. The event will feature talks by Serena Bertolucci, Director of the M9 Museum in Mestre, who will explore the theme of cabinet d’amateur in the history of art; Sergio Gabrovec, Councillor of the Economic Society of Chiavari, who will narrate the work’s journey to its current location; and Andrea Lavaggi, art historian, who will offer a detailed description of the work.

The beauty of the Cabinet d’Amateur lies in its countless details that capture and drag the viewer on a journey through past stories, mysteries to be unraveled, enigmas and references to be deciphered. It is a masterpiece that requires a deep knowledge of Flemish artist Frans Francken II and his historical and artistic context, rich in contrasts and shadows.

The Economic Society of Chiavari has owned the painting since the beginning of the last century thanks to a donation; since 2010 the work, protected by a case, has been on display in the Quadreria of Palazzo Ravaschieri. The exhibition is divided into explanatory panels aimed at deepening the knowledge of the author, the historical and artistic context and the most curious aspects of the painting.

The exhibition can be visited with free admission Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday also in the morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Visitors can be accompanied and guided by Lia Gnecco and Miriam Badalotti.

On the occasion of this important artistic event, one of the treasures of the Library of the Economic Society of Chiavari will also be on public display: the precious “Geographical Atlas.” This illustrated work, Theatrum orbis terrarum sive atlas novus, in quo tabulae et descriptiones omnium regionum by Guiljelmus and Ioannes Blaeu, made in Amsterdam in 1635, is in good condition after restoration in 2006. The event enjoys the patronage of the City of Chiavari, the Metropolitan City of Genoa, the Region of Liguria and the support of the Carige Foundation.

“Art objects,” says Serena Bertolucci, “are semiophors, that is, they preserve within them a heritage not only of technique and style, but also of stories and narratives. And this is what the Chiavari Cabinet is, in a surprising way: a work that lends itself to a thousand readings, that opens up endless avenues of narration, of small and big stories. Just lend an ear or perhaps in this case ’lend an eye’ and let yourself be guided.”

“This is a very ambitious project for the city, which our board strongly wanted,” says Margherita Casaretto, Councillor of the Economic Society and project leader, "The work The Cabinet d’Amateur is being exhibited for the first time as part of an art review of the institution. The beauty and historical importance of this masterpiece deserve to be shared with an ever-widening public. A catalog has been produced for the occasion, tracing the exhibition and with references to the work on display."

An important masterpiece of the Flemish seventeenth century is on display in Chiavari

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