Revving up the Italian Renaissance art

Madonna by Leonardo da Vinci

Pietro Ballero, the Italian Ambassador, said on the occasion that the paintings and reproductions had translated the beauty of the Italian cities and the countryside into masterpieces of art. He pointed out that the pictures comprised mainly of Rome and Venice, while the reproductions were those of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. He pointed out that Bangladesh and Italy have lifestyles in common such as waterways and boats. He added that thousands of Bangladeshi people are now working in Italy.

Mahmudul Haque, Director National Museum, pointed out that the exhibition had been put together within a short span of time but would nevertheless act as a cementing bridge between the two countries. Thus Bangladeshis could cull enormous amount of information of the artistic ways of the Italians over the centuries, he said.

Rossanna Massiri, Cultural and Political Attache, speaking to The Daily Star said that the focus of the exhibit was on the Renaissance artists who influenced European art for over a century. " There are the reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci, who was a complete genius. His drawings in the form of portraits and details of the human body have even helped the development of medicine: in fact he is the precursor of modern anatomical studies. Landscapes form the backdrop of his Mona Lisa and his compositions such as The Virgin and St Anne. Up till now no one has learnt the secret of the chemistry of his colour compositions," she said.

She added that the Raphael and Titian reproductions were from the Italian Embassy and from Italy. She asserted that the 19th century drawings and paintings brought in the place where Byron and Shelley where buried and were also where one found the typical parks, villas, porticos and piazzas which date back to 300 years. She also pointed out various details of the modern Italian artists, whose works were included in the display and won many admirers.

It was indeed a veritable feast of pulsating Renaissance art. Lovers of art and architecture were browsing in the gallery and drinking deep of the profane and religious works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Titian, details of whose lives and works could also be gleaned by printed, elaborate footnotes. The beginnings of Rome and Venice were also carefully explained at length. The exhibit was a clever exercise of informing through breathtaking images of yesterday and today.