Widespread Uffizi: the second chapter in Elba is dedicated to Giuseppe Bezzuoli

Following the success of the exhibition held in recent months at Palazzo Pitti, the Uffizi Galleries are bringing a selection of masterpieces by the great 19th-century Romantic painter Giuseppe Bezzuoli (Florence, 1784 - 1855) to the Pinacoteca Foresiana in Portoferraio.

The Tuscan artist’sPenitent Magdalene, which was one of the stars of the major exhibition at the Pitti Palace in Florence, thus returns to theisland of Elba, in its usual home. From July 19 to Nov. 2, 2022, as part of the Uffizi Diffusi project, a new exhibition dedicated to Giuseppe Bezzuoli entitled Giuseppe Bezzuoli, painter and friend of Alessandro Foresi: an artistic and human partnership, curated by Elena Marconi and Valentina Anselmi, will be held within the spaces of the historic former De Laugier Barracks.

In addition to Magdalene, his most iconic masterpieces will be on display, such as Eve Tempted by the Serpent, the Repudiation of Agar, a reinterpretation of the famous biblical character, the portrait of his friend and sculptor Vincenzo Consani, and theSelf-portrait dated 1852 of a now elderly Bezzuoli. It is no coincidence that the historic former De Laugier barracks is the place chosen to house some of the painter’s major works: in fact, Bezzuoli was personally linked to the Portoferraio Art Gallery, as he was on very good terms of friendship with Alessandro Foresi, uncle of Mario Foresi, i.e., the founder of the art gallery. A physician and great admirer of the Tuscan artist, of whom he also wrote a biography, Alessandro Foresi owned many of his friend’s paintings, which are still in the Elban collection today. Among them, featured in the exhibition are those of Maria Guariello Foresi, Alessandro’s mother, and Countess Beclemichef: important evidence of the fame Bezzuoli achieved even among foreign patrons. Foresi got to know the artist in 1843, when he accompanied his mother to the illustrious painter’s studio to have her portrait done. And it was precisely with the doctor that the artist visited Elba in June 1847: he had decided to take refuge on the island, fearful of the unrest related to the anti-Austrian uprisings that were going on in Florence at the time. In addition to being a friend, Bezzuoli also became Foresi’s patient: in fact, he suffered from many ailments due to age and the habit of smoking cigars. According to the doctor’s account, it was smoking that led to his death, in addition to his unbridled passion for women, which he continued to cultivate even as an elderly man, heedless of the limitations of his physique already undermined by various ailments.

“After the success of last year’s exhibition on Napoleon on Elba, which marked the start of the Uffizi diffuse project,” said Galleries Director Eike Schmidt, “this second chapter is a continuation of it, also historically. It can be said that Bezzuoli, a great artist of the Romantic 19th century, has just been rediscovered: his figure also constitutes a sort of bridge between Florence, his city of origin, and the Island of Elba, where in June 1847 he visited his friend Alessandro Foresi.”

“The year 2022 is the second year of collaboration with the Uffizi: for us, for the city of Portoferraio and for the entire Island of Elba this is a great source of pride and prestige,” added Portoferraio Mayor Angelo Zini. “The collaboration with the Galleries is becoming a stable fact, and we are working for a future of even more stable relations, not only with temporary exhibitions, such as this one on Giuseppe Bezzuoli, to be repeated every year, but perhaps dedicating a part of the Caserma de Laugier, which we will be able to equip ad hoc, to a permanent presence of the Uffizi.”

Hours: Until Sept. 11 Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. From Sept. 12 to Nov. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. (closed Sundays).

Image: Giuseppe Bezzuoli, Penitent Magdalene.

Widespread Uffizi: the second chapter in Elba is dedicated to Giuseppe Bezzuoli

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.