Genoa, Palazzo Reale celebrates Filippo Parodi: Christ at the Column on display

A masterpiece of the Genoese Baroque is back in the spotlight with an exhibition. On Thursday, March 6, at 5 p.m., Palazzo Reale in Genoa opens Dalla terracotta al marmo. Genesis of a Masterpiece, an exhibition curated by Luca Leoncini and Anna Manzitti, which compares, for the first time, two versions of the same work by Filippo Parodi (Genoa, 1630 - 1702): the marble sculpture of Christ at the Column and the terracotta sketch made by the artist himself.

The event offers a unique opportunity to observe the artist’s creative process, highlighting the transition from the design phase to the final realization. The terracotta sketch, now owned by the London-based antiques gallery Stuart Lochhead Sculpture, was an essential tool for Parodi, who used it to present the project to clients and to guide his collaborators in working with the marble.

The master of the Genoese Baroque

Trained initially as a wood carver, Filippo Parodi quickly established himself as one of the greatest sculptors of the Italian Baroque. His talent led him to work for the most prestigious Genoese families, including the Brignole, Grimaldi, Spinola, Sauli, and Durazzo families, making decorations for churches, palaces, and monuments.

His output includes wood and marble sculptures, furniture, frames, consoles, and even impressive stage sets. His most famous works include the decoration of the ship Paradiso, the wedding carriage of Anna Pamphilj and Giovanni Andrea III Doria, and numerous marble masterpieces commissioned in Genoa, Venice, and Padua.

During his sojourns in Rome, Parodi had the opportunity to engage with Gian Lorenzo Bernini, whose style profoundly influenced his creations, which are characterized by a plastic energy and dramatic intensity that find their highest expression precisely in Christ at the Column. The sculpture, an extraordinary example of Baroque pathos, depicts Christ at the moment of flagellation, with his head reclined backward in a sign of resigned suffering.

The exhibition and practical information

During the opening, curators will take the public on a guided tour to discover the two sculptures, highlighting the relationship between model and finished work. Admission to the event is free, but places are limited. The exhibition will be open until June 29, 2025 with the following hours: Tuesday: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; first and third Sunday of the month: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The entrance fee is 12 euros and also allows access to Palazzo Spinola. There is a reduced entrance fee of 2 euros for young people between 18 and 25, while admission is free for those under 18 and eligible. For information and reservations: palazzorealegenova@cultura.gov.it

Genoa, Palazzo Reale celebrates Filippo Parodi: Christ at the Column on display

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