The date of the "Naples in Paris" exhibition is June 7, but the art world is already talking about it with plenty of details. Paris is preparing to celebrate an ancient capital in one of the most prestigious museums in the world: the Louvre. A week after the visit to the French capital by the Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, we are already almost on the eve of an extraordinary event. For six months 60 masterpieces of the Museum of Capodimonte will be exhibited in the Louvre for the first time. With the Neapolitan structure directed by Sylvain Bellenger a partnership agreement was signed which aims to revive cultural relations between the two museums. It all takes place a year after the signing of the Quirinale treaty between Emmanuel Macron e Sergio Mattarella. The director of the Louvre, Laurence Des Cars she declared herself enthusiastic about the agreements with Italy and the city of Naples. Two years ago the museum hosted another major exhibition dedicated to Greece. Naples thus enters the wake of timeless historical and artistic narratives. The Neapolitan capital for mid-year 2023 « will present to the French public history, literature, music, theater and cinema ». Expressive qualities matured in centuries of foreign dominations which, despite everything, have influenced artists and intellectuals.
Naples-Paris: consolidated cultural axis
Naples and Paris are linked by ancient stories and relationships and the anticipation of the Parisians for this event grows. In a certain sense, President Macron himself interprets it, who has visited Naples in the past and has always expressed interest in the city. Moreover, two great painters of the Neapolitan school Vincenzo Gemito e Luca Giordano, have had tremendous success in recent years with exhibitions visited by thousands at the Petit Palais. It is evident that the recent political misunderstandings between the Italian and French governments on European issues do not overshadow such qualifying events. The exhibition "Naples in Paris » will have a European dimension and the Louvre three months earlier is already busy securing pre-sales and visitors. Among the works that will be exhibited we will find the Portrait of Antea del parmigianino, The Crucifixion of masaccioJohn's Transfiguration Bellini, the Danae of Titian, the Flagellation of Caravaggio, . Masterpieces of various schools to be exhibited alongside the permanent collections of Titian, Reni, Raffaello, not to mention the Mona Lisa of Leonardo, in the Louvre since 1804.
Paintings, but also songs, theatre, writing.
Among collateral events at the painting review, a film festival dedicated to Naples, concerts by the San Carlo Theater orchestra, screenings in several districts of Italian films, conferences and theatrical performances. But also the presence of French intellectuals in Naples has a Fil rouge in important city institutions. For the sake of information it must be said - obviously not least - that the commitment of this collaboration was made by the former Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini during his tenure. The breath of Italian culture in Europe was a goal pursued and achieved. Franceschini is also responsible for confirming the leadership of Capodimonte by the French Sylvain Bellenger, to whom Naples is preparing to recognize honorary citizenship. The reason: he changed Capodimonte.
