Bergamo and Brescia are ready to serve as Italian Cultural Capitals 2023, opening with an exhibition of extraordinary importance; “Lotto, Romanino, Moretto, Ceruti. The champions of pictorial art in Brescia and Bergamo”.

80 masterpieces from the Bergamo and Brescia areas of Lombardy will be exhibited at Palazzo Martinengo in Brescia from 21 January until 1 June 2023, presenting a direct comparison. Great maestros who were active in these two cities between the 15th and 18th centuries, which were influenced by an influx from both Lombardy and the Veneto, will be the subject of an artistic exhibition that examines themes of sociology and identity, and aims to provide an all-round study of the two cities.

“For such a unique and unrepeatable year, as 2023 will be for Brescia and Bergamo”, said Davide Dotti, the exhibition curator, “I have created a special exhibition that differs from the last eight events presented at Palazzo Martinengo. In line with the profound significance of the Italian Cultural Capital 2023, the exhibition offers an original and moving comparison between the greatest artists active in the two cities over the almost four centuries of Venetian dominance, thus setting in motion a veritable artistic and cultural “derby” that will continue on the main floor of Palazzo Martinengo in the sections dedicated to architecture, music, culinary traditions and the two great Popes of the twentieth century and their relationship with art and the artists. Exploring the halls of the Palazzo, visitors will embark on an emotional journey rich in never-before-seen works, surprises and fun facts, the aim of which is to highlight the extraordinary cultural heritage that has built up over the centuries in Brescia and Bergamo, as well as foster a new awareness of a fundamental chapter in the history of Italian art, written by the great maestros of painting active in these two cities that are coming together in the year of the Italian Cultural Capital”.