"The Still Lifes of Evaristo Baschenis: The Music of Silence"
2000-11-17 until 2001-03-04
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York, NY, USA

This exhibition is devoted to the paintings of Evaristo Baschenis (Bergamo, 1617–1677), the outstanding still-life painter of 17th-century Italy. Although unfamiliar to American audiences, his hauntingly poetic still lifes of musical instruments combine baroque splendor with a masterful, restrained geometry. Their quality of time arrested has led to comparisons with Chardin and Vermeer. Approximately 15 paintings from public and private collections throughout northern Italy will be on view in the Robert Lehman Wing.

Among them is Baschenis's masterpiece, a triptych done for the Agliardi family of Bergamo, which includes portraits of the family and a self-portrait of the artist playing instruments. Also included are books on perspective and examples of period musical instruments from the Museum's collection.

The exhibition is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with the Accademia Carrara of Bergamo, and the Superintendency of Milan, under the Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, with the support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Regione Lombardia, Provincia di Bergamo and Comune di Bergamo.

The exhibition is made possible by Banca Popolare di Bergamo-Credito Varesino, in cooperation with Camera di Commercio di Bergamo.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of New York

Other Important Exhibitions in New York