Matera, National Museum of Palazzo Lanfranchi reopens with renovated spaces and new sections

After a major restoration and enhancement project, the National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata, located in the 17th-century Palazzo Lanfranchi in Matera, officially reopens its doors on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 11 a.m. This reopening marks the beginning of a new phase for the National Museums of Matera, with a completely redefined visitor experience, renovated exhibition spaces and a series of technological innovations that will enrich the enjoyment of the works on display.

The restoration of Palazzo Lanfranchi involved both exterior surfaces and interiors. The work, carried out in recent years, has brought to light the original architectural details, such as the epigraphic rhymes carved on the lintels of the windows, and improved the accessibility of the spaces. Inside, the restoration has led to a reorganization of the exhibition spaces, with a focus on enhancing the permanent collection and introducing new multimedia technologies that offer a more immersive and engaging visitor experience.

One of the most anticipated aspects of the reopening is the inauguration of new rooms dedicated to two 20th-century masters, Carlo Levi (Turin, 1902 - Rome, 1975) and Luigi Guerricchio (Matera, 1932 - 1996). The rooms on the ground floor of Palazzo Lanfranchi will in fact be dedicated to the works of these two artists, offering an overview of their most representative works. The room on Carlo Levi, curated by Professor Daniela Fonti, presents a selection of the artist’s most important works, including the large canvas Lucania ’61. This monumental work, created to celebrate the centenary of the Unification of Italy, is a visual tribute to Basilicata, a region to which Levi was deeply attached, since he spent his confinement there during the Fascist era. For the occasion, Lucania ’61 has been rearranged in a setting that facilitates its enjoyment and understanding, enriching the visual experience with multimedia elements.

In parallel, the section dedicated to Luigi Guerricchio, curated by Professor Maria Adelaide Cuozzo, pays tribute to one of the most important Matera artists of the 20th century. Guerricchio, known for his intense relationship with the Lucanian territory and for his vibrant and passionate painting, will be the protagonist of a series of works that highlight his artistic contribution and his strong connection with Matera.

On the second floor of Palazzo Lanfranchi, the visit continues with two separate exhibition sections. The first, dedicated to theart of the territory, offers a selection of local sacred art works, from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, that tell the rich artistic and religious history of Basilicata. The second section is dedicated to the collection of Neapolitan paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries collected in the 19th century by Camillo d’Errico from Lucania. This collection, one of the most important in southern Italy, has been set up in a new exhibition space curated by Professor Stefano Causa. The works, displayed in a modern and evocative setting, offer an overview of the great masters of the Neapolitan school, who profoundly influenced Italian and European art.

One of the great new features of this reopening is the introduction of three new multimedia rooms, which further enrich the visiting experience. The first room is an immersive room, which through the use of artificial intelligence and digital creativity, allows visitors to interact with the works of Carlo Levi in an innovative way. This technology makes the enjoyment of art an interactive and immersive experience, leading visitors to explore the hidden details and meanings of the paintings in new ways. The section dedicated to Luigi Guerricchio, on the other hand, is enhanced by a first-person video-narration of the artist. Through a biography told with images and sound, visitors can immerse themselves in Guerricchio’s world, discovering his life, his inspirations and his creative process.

The room dedicated to Camillo d’Errico’s picture gallery offers a multisensory experience with a large full-wall projection of the collection’s most representative works. Two multimedia touch screen tables allow visitors to interact with the works through gamification, making the visit educational and fun. Special attention has been given to younger visitors, with a new educational room designed especially for them. Here, children will be able to admire a scale reproduction of the canvas Lucania ’61 by Carlo Levi, made with more than 220,000 LEGO® bricks. This educational space was designed by integrating design and technology to create a multifunctional and stimulating environment where young visitors can learn through play and interaction.

Annamaria Mauro, Director of the Matera National Museums, expressed her enthusiasm, “The reopening of Palazzo Lanfranchi represents a historic moment for the city of Matera. Thanks to the interventions made, we are not only returning a space rich in history and art to the public, but also making it more inclusive and accessible, in line with our vision of an open and participatory museum. We are confident that the innovations introduced and the new modes of enjoyment will captivate visitors, stimulating a deeper dialogue with the works on display.”

“Palazzo Lanfranchi,” says the Mayor of the city of Matera, Domenico Bennardi, “is one of the symbols of Matera’s cultural heritage. With this extraordinary restoration and enhancement project, together with the LED value lighting project of the facade, a new chapter opens for our territory, which will be able to welcome visitors from all over the world with a cutting-edge museum proposal, capable of combining tradition and innovation.”

Matera, National Museum of Palazzo Lanfranchi reopens with renovated spaces and new sections

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