THE 20° CENTURY OF FOUNDATIONS

PROROGATA FINO AL 6 GENNAIO 2025

A journey into italian art

of the 20th century

through new perspectives

The exhibition project, dedicated to the artistic masterpieces of the 20th century representing the different regions of Italy, was conceived on the occasion of the celebrations of "Agrigento, Italian capital of culture 2025". The scientific committee has committed its resources to selecting lesser-known but highly interesting works. Although the selection criterion based on the territorial affiliation of the artists may appear simple, the committee operated with more complex approaches, aiming to highlight the cultural and social contents of the exhibited objects, which the locals recognize as their own.

The location of the exhibition

Villa Aurea of Valley of the Temples in Agrigento was the historic residence of the English aristocrat Sir Alexander Hardcastle; literally nestled between the Temple of Concordia and that of Hercules and built right next to what was the entrance door of the ancient fortifications, in a place surrounded by a splendid and vast garden of Mediterranean scrub and characterized by great chromatic charm and extraordinary light conditions. The Villa, which will host the exhibition from June 2024 to December 2025, is the pivot of an incredible archaeological, architectural and naturalistic scenario which fully and profoundly restores the metaphysical suggestions and the millennial sense of the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

A journey through

Italian art and history

The selection criterion which can be summarized in the phrase "an artist for each region of Italy" offers a subjective point of view of the main Italian artistic expressions of the twentieth century, ranging from the Verismo of Mancini, Michetti and Gemito, to the "spatialism" of Fontana, up to Marotta's new dada. The exhibition also includes historical movements such as Boccioni's divisionism, the second Futurism of Depero and Pannaggi, the Novecento movement with Mario Sironi, the lyrical cubism of Severini, the Metaphysical and neo-baroque painting of De Chirico.

This exhibition is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of 20th century Italian art.

Through a careful selection of works from collections of banking and cultural foundations throughout Italy, the exhibition invites us to discover a rich and varied artistic heritage, often overlooked by large museums.

The exhibition itinerary, although based on the geographical criterion of the regional belonging of the artists, goes far beyond a simple cataloguing. Each work was chosen for its ability to tell a story, to reflect the social and cultural changes of an era, to embody a local and national identity.

The exhibition invites us to look beyond the appearance of the works, to question their profound meaning and their ability to excite and involve. It represents a unique opportunity to reflect on our past, our present and our future. An invitation to rediscover the beauty and richness of our artistic heritage, and to do so in a place that is a symbol of Italian history and culture.

The Foundations

Foundation Cassa di Risparmio della Provincia di Macerata - Museo Palazzo Ricci, Works from the Collection of the Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria, Foundation Cariverona, Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Terni e Narni, Museo dell’Ottocento Foundation di Persio-Pallotta, Pescara, Mart Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Trento and Rovereto, Art Collection of the Foundation CR, Florence, Collection of the Foundation of Venice, Lucio Fontana Foundation, Milan.

Opening time

From 01 January to 30 June 2025

From 15 September to 31 December 2025

Every day 8.30am - 8.00pm (last entry at 7.00pm)

From 01 July to 22 September 2025 evening entry: Mon - Fri 08.30-23.00 (last entry at 22.00)

Holidays and eves 08.30-24.00 (last entry at 23.00)

Attention: The dates for evening admissions may be subject to changes based on the regulations of Valley of the Temples park