Published: 20241114
Following its major exhibition on the history and heritage of the noble Pacs family, the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania unveils yet another exceptional display before Christmas: „The Italian Renaissance from Wawel: Botticelli, Tiziano“. This remarkable collection of masterpieces by world-renowned artists will be open to visitors from 14 November.
Earlier this year, the museum showcased one of the most valuable works of the High Renaissance painter Giovanni Bellini—„The Madonna and Child“. Now, the Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collections in Kraków has brought five outstanding masterpieces from its collection to Lithuania, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the legacy of the Italian Renaissance.
The paintings in the exhibition were created by masters of two influential artistic schools – the Florentine and the Venetian. The work of Sandro Botticelli (real name Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi), a Florentine painter and innovator of his time, is characterised by a fascination with antiquity, exquisite use of colour, and idealised representations of human beauty. These hallmarks are beautifully exemplified in „The Madonna and Child with Angels“.
The Venetian School, by contrast, was renowned for its vibrant colour contrasts and realistic depictions of people. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Venetian paintings were the most sought-after works in the courts of rulers and nobles across Europe. Monarchs from Portugal to Poland, Lithuania, and Sweden vied for these masterpieces. The exhibition presents four exceptional Venetian School paintings, all preserved in the region: „Allegory of Love“ by Tiziano (Tiziano Vecellio), „The Madonna and Child with St John the Baptist and St Cecilia“ from Tiziano’s workshop, „Diana and Callisto“ by Paris Bordone (Paris Paschalinus Bordone), and „Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife“ by Palma il Giovane (real name Jacopo Negretti).
A shared theme unites all the paintings in the exhibition—the beauty of women and the essence of love. Each artist interprets these subjects uniquely, revealing different narratives through their compositions.
Sandro Botticelli, commissioned by the Medici court, explored the unity of beauty and divinity. In „The Madonna and Child with Angels“, the roses held by the angel symbolise the Virgin Mary's unconditional love for the Redeemer, while also referencing the „Song of Songs“ from the Old Testament.
Venetian artists often drew inspiration from classical mythology. In Tiziano’s „Allegory of Love“, the female figure, usually associated with Psyche, appears absorbed in her thoughts, clutching Cupid’s bow and arrow as she awaits her beloved. The composition captures a moment frozen in time, as if suspended in motion.
Paris Bordone, a renowned painter of mythological themes and one of Tiziano’s most distinguished pupils, portrays a tale of forbidden love in „Diana and Callisto“. The painting recounts the myth of Callisto, a follower of the goddess Diana, who vowed to remain chaste but was seduced by Zeus, who had disguised himself as Diana.
Similarly, Palma il Giovane, the last pupil of Titian and a leading painter of the Venetian School’s golden age, explores passion and temptation in his biblical painting „Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife“. He contrasts light and shadow to highlight moral and spiritual struggles—Potiphar’s wife is enveloped in darkness, while Joseph stands in the glow of virtue. Works by Palma il Giovane were known to be part of the Vasa dynasty’s collection, and two of his paintings are permanently exhibited at National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania.
„The Italian Renaissance from Wawel: Botticelli, Tiziano“ will be on display at the National Museum – Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania until 23 February 2025.
