An exhibition recounts Milan as seen by Paolo Mezzanotte, the great architect of the Stock Exchange

The exhibition Milan through the Prints, Drawings and Graffiti of a 20th-century Architect, dedicated to Paolo Mezzanotte (Milan, 1878 - Inverigo, 1969), best known as the architect who designed Palazzo Mezzanotte, also known as Palazzo della Borsa, the headquarters of the Milan Stock Exchange in Piazza Affari, is on view at Spazio San Celso in Milan from May 17 to June 6, 2018. The exhibition, curated by Erminia Giacomini Miari and Elisabetta Mero, is also the first set up in the new exhibition venue, opened following the recently completed restoration of the Basilica of San Celso: the aim of the review is to examine a little-known aspect of Paolo Mezzanotte’s production, the graphic work that tells the story of Milan analyzed from his point of view. Mezzanotte in fact was not only an important architect but also a painter and engraver, a connoisseur of art history as well as the history of Milan.

The exhibition features a selection of engravings in various techniques (etching, aquatint and ceramolle), pertaining to the Milan old and new cycle (these are views of the city as well as different aspects of Milanese life), drawings of architectural and other projects, as well as sketches and drafts with which Mezzanotte illustrated his writings. In addition, graffiti will be shown to the public for the first time, with representations of fantastic gardens, elements with which the artist liked to decorate the entrances of some buildings. The exhibition is complemented by an itinerary through the neighborhoods of Milan, traced by Mezzanotte himself and included, in 1948, in the volume realized with Giacomo Bascapè and entitled Milano nell’arte e nella storia, still today an indispensable text for studying the history of the city’s art and architecture.

The exhibition, realized in collaboration with the Civica Raccolta di Stampe “Achille Bertarelli,” Castello Sforzesco in Milan and with Fideuram - Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking, is part of the Novecento italiano palimpsest promoted by the Municipality of Milan and under the patronage of Municipality 1, is part of the cultural review Milano riscopre Milano. In addition, the review is illustrated by a catalog, published by Riccardo Viola Editore, with scientific contributions by Giovanna Mori, Curator of the Civica Raccolta di Stampe “Achille Bertarelli” in Milan, Maria Antonietta Crippa, Prof. Politecnico, Erminia Giacomini Miari and Elisabetta Mero curators of the exhibition.

Milan through the prints, drawings and graffiti of a 20th century architect opens daily except Tuesdays (closing day) from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturdays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pictured: a study for the facade of the Stock Exchange, by Paolo Mezzanotte.

An exhibition recounts Milan as seen by Paolo Mezzanotte, the great architect of the Stock Exchange

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