TheCarrara Academy in Bergamo is a must-see, recognized among the most important museums in Italy.
Born in 1796 from the ambitious project of Giacomo Carrara (1714-1796) to create a cultural institute that would combine delight and education, Picture Gallery and School of Painting. The success of this idea is evidenced by the dense series of large and small donations, made over more than two centuries of history by private individuals and institutions that, together with targeted purchases, have added to the founder’s original nucleus.
In addition to Carrara, leading the long list of donors are the figures of Guglielmo Lochis, Giovanni Morelli, Federico Zeri and Mario Scaglia. Their collections form the backbone of the museum and help define the articulate character of its holdings.
Visiting route
The spaces, both indoor and outdoor, have recently been redesigned and offer a tour itinerary, organized in rooms of different sizes, with a total of 350 works on display including paintings, sculptures, medals and plaques. Visitors take a five-century journey through the history of Italian art, from the Renaissance to the 19th century, with masterpieces by Pisanello, Mantegna, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Lotto, Moroni, Hayez and Pellizza da Volpedo. An entire floor is dedicated to major temporary exhibitions.
The Carrara holds 1,587 paintings, 132 sculptures, a significant collection of drawings, prints and precious nuclei of decorative arts, from fans to porcelain, from bronzes to medals. A varied and surprising itinerary, punctuated by authentic masterpieces of Italian art.
Masterpieces not to be missed
The elegant profile of Leonello d’Este painted by Pisanello and Botticelli‘s Portrait of Giuliano de’ Medici. Andrea Mantegna ‘s moving Madonna and Giovanni Bellini‘s richly human Madonna. Raphael‘s unforgettable Saint Sebastian, with his dreamy gaze, and the real faces of the characters portrayed by Giovan Battista Moroni or Piccio.
The silence of Baschenis‘s still lifes, Fra Galgario‘s pigments and lacquers. And again Lorenzo Lotto, Titian, Tiepolo, Canaletto, Guardi. The great Italian tradition of painting continuing into the 19th century: from Hayez to Previati to the poignant face of Santina Negri, painted by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, which closes the visit to the picture gallery.
Cultural events and activities
Accademia Carrara is also events. It is dynamism, liveliness. It is presence of different languages. It is a cultural proposal that is open to forms of artistic contamination capable of completing the museum’s offerings. Concerts, theatrical performances, conferences and study seminars, but also private events, gala dinners, corporate meetings and representative occasions. Accademia Carrara is an open space and a unique location. It is the right place to experience the beauty of art in all its dimensions.
Friendship – Membership
Accademia Carrara’s friendship projects for individuals and corporate memberships are aimed at art enthusiasts, friends and supporters. They entitle them to a range of exclusive benefits and offer the chance to establish a direct and privileged relationship with the life of the museum.
The Carrara Academy works to open the doors of the museum to as many people as possible, to break down visible and invisible barriers. Indeed, we believe it is a place of discovery, personal growth, and social inclusion open to the world. A place of active and lifelong learning where people are passionate and have fun.
An educational and intercultural vocation that of the Carrara Academy, which every day offers new opportunities to learn about the historical artistic heritage.
Museum educational services
Guided and animated tours, workshops, readings, storytelling: the Educational Services design ad hoc activities in order to establish a positive and fruitful dialogue with adults, children, people with disabilities, families, and tourists, offering interpretation opportunities for a museum in tune with the needs of its users.
