This year, it's Titian's turn to serve as the City of Milan's Christmas strenna

Finally, the work that will be given the role of “Christmas gift” by the City of Milan has been chosen: it is Titian’s Gozzi Altarpiece, a sacred conversation from the Pinacoteca Civica “Francesco Podesti” in Ancona. In keeping with a well-established tradition, the City will exhibit the work (solo) for the Christmas holidays, from December 5 to January 14, 2018, in the Sala Alessi of Palazzo Marino. This year’s choice, the statement reads, “bears witness to Milan’s closeness to the city of Ancona, which plays a fundamental role as a center for the collection and shelter of numerous works of art, including many masterpieces, from the earthquake-stricken territories of the Marche region.”

And, again in keeping with tradition, admission will be free. Visitors, thanks to a set-up curated by architect Corrado Anselmi, will also be able to see the back of the panel, which features pencil sketches made by Titian himself and depicting several heads, including one that could be the sketch for the Child. The work was painted in 1520 for merchant Luigi Gozzi and was intended for the high altar of the church of San Francesco ad Alto in Ancona. It is a work of paramount importance since it is the first known signed and dated work by Titian. In the work, the Madonna and Child appear together with Saints Francis and Blaise: the former the titular saint of the church, the latter the patron saint of Ragusa of Dalmatia (present-day Dubrovnik), the city from which the commissioner came.

The exhibition is curated by Stefano Zuffi, uses lighting design by Francesco Murano, and is promoted by COmune di Milano, Intesa Sanpaolo and Rinascente. It is coordinated by Palazzo Reale, in collaboration with Pinacoteca Podesti in Ancone, Gallerie d’Italia in Piazza Scala and Civita. Titian’s Gozzi Altarpiece is the second work coming to the Lombard capital for the Christmas festivities: the Museo Diocesano is also offering a Christmas display this year, exhibitingPerugino’s Adoration of the Shepherds, arriving from the National Gallery of Umbria.

Image: Titian, Gozzi Altarpiece (1520; mixed media on panel, 312 x 215 cm; Ancona, Pinacoteca Civica “Francesco Podesti”)

This year, it's Titian's turn to serve as the City of Milan's Christmas strenna

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