Antonio Mancini at Philadelphia Art Museum

[Linda Brandon]

An exhibition of the work of the early 20th century Italian artist Antonio Mancini is now open at the Philadelphia Art Museum and runs until January 20th, 2008. It's the first solo exhibition in the United States of Mancini's work (and I'm trying to figure out a way to get there and see it). When I was in Philadelphia a couple of months ago, this painting was exhibited and I got to see it up close, a real treat.

If anyone takes any photos of this exhibition I would really appreciate some photos posted in this thread, especially closeups.

Here is a link to the Museum's website: http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/268.html

[Richard Bingham]

Quite by chance, I find myself in that part of the world this week . . . I have Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia, with definite plans to see the Mancini exhibit. Do you know for certain that it's permissible to take photos in the museum ? (a lot of 'em don't allow it) If they do, I'll sure take some!

[Linda Brandon]

Yikes. Richard, that was a good and precautious question; I read the rules online which say that no photography is allowed for special exhibitions (though this is not a ticketed exhibition). However, it looks like pencil (not pen) sketching is allowed for non-ticketed exhibitions. Here are the rules.

Anyway, if you go - please post your pencil sketches, Richard, I'd love to see them.

[Richard Bingham]

How do you do that ? I looked up the museum site, couldn't find that page . . . I always have a sketchbook with me, though

[Garth Herrick]

Hi Linda and Richard,

I spent an hour searching for these shots I took last year at the PMA. They have two Mancinis (as of last year). I never heard of him before these were acquired, but the strength of his paintings have blown me away. The texture and application of paint is just incredible!

These are hand held shots, and I have sharpened them considerably to show the textures.

Richard, we will have to meet up tomorrow at the Mancini exhibit!

Linda, I hope these pictures entice you to come east soon. I believe these two paintings were painted in 1878, so that makes Antonio Mancini a late 19th century artist as well.

Garth

Check out those shoe details!

[Garth Herrick]

More images:

The glass bulbs are incredible. Apparently the second painting depicts the same boy model.

Garth

[Linda Brandon]

Richard, on the Museum site, there's a Visit the Museum tab - go to Visitor Information - Museum Policies - General / Photography and Sketching. I envy you!

Garth - I envy you, too! I saw the boy with the glove on my trip there also. I have the exhibition book - there are so many paintings that are such a feast for artists who want to use texture as part of their paint language. To me, texture underscores the mysterious correlation between two of our senses, touch and sight. Thanks for these closeups.

[Jean-Fran]

I wish I could have visited the exhibition in Philadelphia in person... Thank you so much for this thread, I was able to acquire the book at least.
It doesn't have my favourite version of The Little Seminary, I am attaching a copy of it with this message. A large jpg can be found on the web (1396x2000 pixels).

Here are a few pictures of the "Ritratto della Principessa Tina Pignatelli" which can be seen at the Museo Civico di Castel Nuovo in Naples.
The light inside the building, and the angles at which I took the photographs show the amazing texture of the painting.

[Jean-Fran]

...a few additional pictures.

[Jean-Fran]

In the same room they have this small work by Mancini's friend Vincenzo Gemito. It might be of interest to those who are touched by Mancini's work.