U.S. Army Africa Commander Maj. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, U.S. Army Vicenza Garrison Commander Col. Robert L. Menist Jr., along with Italian base commander Col. Edoardo Maggian, visited the "Tutankhamon Caravaggio Van Gogh" exhibition at the Palladian Basilica in Vicenza Jan. 30.
"Tonight I was reminded again how fortunate we are to be stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Deputy Mayor Bulgarini hosted us at a world-class art exhibit housed in the Basilica downtown, one of Andrea Palladio's masterpieces," Williams said. "We had the opportunity to see inspiring pieces that ranged from Egyptian sculptures to Caravaggio masterpieces to abstract modern art. It was truly impressive how the curator stitched it all together thematically."
"I am very happy with the enthusiastic response I received from the post leadership and their spouses who had a unique chance to appreciate many works by important American artists and paintings coming from well-known U.S. collections", said Jacopo Bulgarini D'Elci, deputy mayor of Vicenza, among the organizers of the art event. "It is a visit that I really wanted both as an opportunity to strengthen the excellent relations between the city administration and the base representatives," said Bulgarini, "as well as a chance to make known to the entire American community, the possibility of visiting the Basilica and the exhibition that is attracting thousands of visitors to Vicenza from around Italy."
"I encourage the American community to go downtown and see this exhibit. Whether or not art is your passion, the Basilica is well worth exploring," Williams said. "Tonight we went to the bar on top of the Basilica and saw the incredible views from the roof. Those views of the mountains and Monte Berico were just as impressive as the amazing art."
Grateful for the perfect organization and the VIP welcome, the guests enjoyed the visit with a dedicated guide that walked them through the 115 works of art on loan from 30 different museums and divided into six thematic sections, each focusing on a different aspect of nocturnal scenes in painting and sculpture throughout the history of art. There are Egyptian tomb statues - including the gilded head of Tutankhamen - as well as masterpieces by Caravaggio, El Greco, Hopper, Gauguin, and Van Gogh, among others.
"The guide was extremely well-read and I loved her enthusiasm. Her way of engaging each one of us was a wonderful experience because she made us feel protagonists rather than just visitors," said Michela Destro Maggian. Asked about what she liked the most, Destro Maggian said that she is very fond of Egyptian history and art, therefore she was impressed with the first section of the exhibition.
"I got enjoyably lost in the Caravaggio's chiaroscuri, in the 'Town at Moonlight' by Friedrich, in the Venetian islands painted by Monet and, of course, in the enveloping and mysterious 'Country road in Provence at night' by Van Gogh, which is also cover image for the event," she said.
"We are grateful to Deputy Mayor Bulgarini for his kind invite and the opportunity we were given to appreciate the art and the culture of the beautiful city of Vicenza. The exhibition is amazing for the collection of works brought together from major museums all over the world," Menist said at the end of the visit. "It is really an original and unforgettable journey into the artistic images of night throughout the centuries and the Palladian Basilica provides the perfect venue for creating that unique and exceptional experience," he said.
The Palladian Basilica is as much of an attraction as the exhibition itself. Completed in the late 16th century, the Basilica has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Recently it underwent extensive renovations and was awarded the prestigious European Union's Prize for Cultural Heritage in 2014.
"After the tour, Deputy Mayor Bulgarini encouraged us to visit the Teatro Olimpico and attend some of the city's jazz festival in May. My wife Erin and I plan to take advantage of these incredible cultural offerings," Williams said, pleased to enjoy warm relationships with the leaders of the city of Vicenza.
The exhibition runs through June 2. For more information and visiting hours, visit http://www.lineadombra.it/eng/exhibitions/tutankhamon-caravaggio-van-gogh-en/la-mostra-en/tcvg-mostra-en/tcvg-mostra-breve-en.php
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