‘Ritratti Senza Tempo’: Bridges to Memory Modern Photography & Roman Sculpture Show
Until October 29: RITRATTI SENZA TEMPO Exhibition. Palazzo Medici Riccardi, via Cavour 3. Open 9 am – 7 pm, daily, closed Wednesday. Admission: €15, with further concessions available on the museum’s official website.
What is in a face? Rossano B. Maniscalchi’s portrait photographs intimately capture his subjects’ expressions, demystifying some of the most esteemed figures of the past century, including Michelangelo Antonioni and Mikhail Gorbachev. Maniscalchi’s portraits tell the story of the modern age. His photographs are shown alongside bust sculptures from the classical period, part of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi’s permanent collection, exhibited in the Museo dei Marmi. Bust sculpture is the modern equivalent of portrait photography, however to contemporary audiences these sculptures may appear to be stoic depictions of remote figures. The new Ritratti Senza Tempo exhibition attempts to build a bridge between the faces of the past and present by exhibiting them together.
In the exhibition, Maniscalchi’s photos are divided into three sections according to the following themes: change, thought, and authority. This parallels the layout of the Greek and Roman busts, with Roman leaders like Julius Cesare being exhibited alongside their modern counterparts, such as Barack Obama and King Charles III. This creates a dialogue between history and the contemporary age. The curator, Chiara Regazzi, emphasises the role of the face as it becomes, “both mirror and bridge- a form that transcends eras, shifts codes, yet continues to speak of the power of identity.” Photography may appear to be a more objective art form, but it is just as individual as sculpture, with each photographer’s framing of their work creating a unique vision. Regazzi describes how Maniscalchi builds, “a subtle yet powerful bridge between the public image and the intimate self, unveiling the most authentic and often hidden nuances.”
The photos show Maniscalchi’s skill in capturing both the existence and aspirations of his subjects. The exhibition consists of figures from many nations. Some of Maniscalchi’s most moving and skilful portraits are of Italian celebrities. These portraits take the viewer on a tour of 20th century Italy from Rita Levi-Montalcini and former Italian president Giorgio Napolitano to Umberto Eco. Through these faces a glorious century of Italian and global culture stares back at the audience. A photographic and curatorial stand out is a photograph of Nino Benvenuti looking into a mirror whilst holding his boxing gloves. This image was exhibited adjacent to an unnamed Roman boxer. Despite his shadow looming in the background, Nino is not a shadow of his former self but celebrating his boxing legacy half a century later.
Nino Bienvenuti said of Maniscalchi’s photos, “(they) are beautiful. They are an expression of your intelligence and great sensitivity,” showing the mutual veneration between photographer and subject. It takes a talented and compassionate photographer to capture the humanity of remote public figures. In the process Maniscalchi’s skill manages to demystify the greats of antiquity.
The mastermind behind the exhibition’s concept is Regazzi. She describes how the portraits, “are instruments of active memory. They look at us, question us, resist ephemerality.” In an age where pre-modern spaces of memory are becoming increasingly eroded, a photograph -like a Roman bust- becomes an object that preserves memory. These sites of memory enable the viewer to feel a connection to the greats of antiquity, as one understands their importance through knowing the influence of their 21st century counterparts. Regazzi does a fantastic job in curating the exhibition and bringing this fascinating concept to fruition.
The great personalities of today and yesterday all represent the global human story. In the Museo dei Marmi, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, a fascinating conversation is created between Maniscalchi’s photos and the busts of antiquity, becoming a unique way of viewing portrait photography and ancient busts. For information about the exhibition and tickets see the website of the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.
(Mikela Persson Caracciolo)
