Libero Andreotti between monumentality and domestic dimension, documents from the artist’s archive

The exhibition entitled Libero Andreotti between monumentality and domestic dimension. Documents from the artist’s archive, edited by Elvira Altiero and Claudia Massi, at the Libero Andreotti Gipsoteca in Pescia, inaugurated on 10 December 2021 at 4:30 pm and open until 30 June 2022.

The exhibition intends to recount the artistic experience of Libero Andreotti (1875-1933), with particular reference to monumental sculpture and applied arts, and at the same time to consider their private dimension, through a selection of historical photographs, drawings and documents, mostly unpublished and never exhibited before from the Pescia archive and from a private collection.

The exhibition also made it possible to return to the public some plaster casts that had remained hidden in the museum deposits and never made visible until today: among these, the imposing bust of turreted Italy with the head of the fallen hero stands out, which were part of the preparatory model for the war memorial in Saronno, as well as the sculpture of Christ in the chapel of the Italian Mother in Santa Croce and some precious sketches referable to the war memorial, never built, in Milan. Also on display are a series of drawings and photographs from a rare souvenir album recently acquired by the Municipality of Pescia thanks to a donation from the artist’s heirs, and a core of graphic works on loan from a private collection.

The occasion made it possible to carry out a general reorganization of the entire Gipsoteca in order to adequately relocate, for scientific or conservation reasons, the works of Libero Andreotti: an example is the new positioning of the Virtues on the sides of the risen Christ which he now proposes the original layout of the model for the Bolzano Victory Monument. This group was also flanked by the bas-relief of the War, as well as an unprecedented series of plaster statuettes representing the first sketches for the female figures of the Virtues.

In this way, the knowledge and enhancement of both the archival collection and the extraordinary collection of plaster casts preserved in the Andreotti Gipsoteca have been promoted, making this enormous heritage accessible to a wider public.
During the three months of opening there will be organized visits and events dedicated to the theme of the exhibition, on weekdays and holidays.

Exhibition opening hours:

from Tuesday 1 March 2022

Tuesday and Thursday 10-12.30 15-17.30
Friday 10-12.30
Saturday 16-19
Sunday 10-12.30 16-19

For extraordinary openings consult this site, the Facebook page ‘Musei Città di Pescia’, or the ‘Città di Pescia’ page, or the Istagram page @cittadipescia
Or call the Culture Office at 0572492257.