Description

“The Fondazione Giorgio Cini holds one of the most important collections of illuminated leaves and cuttings of initials in the world, which belonged to Vittorio Cini; they make up an extraordinary fresco of the history of Italian miniature. The Mindful Hands exhibition presents a selection of about 130 illuminations: the most beautiful and representative of the collection’s excellence and richness. The title is intended to emphasise that the making of these works is the result of the labour of “mindful hands.” Calligraphers, pen and brush illuminators, also working together, were able to achieve results of a superb quality. The time they employed, which was extensive and concentrated on minute details, is the time and gaze that today’s visitors are called upon to use so that their eyes may better observe and understand.”
Massimo Medica and Federica Toniolo

“An exhibition of illuminations is first of all the reconstruction of an atmosphere, of a strongly characterised environment able to recount the Middle Ages, which conjures up perceptions of shade, low lights, small windows, raw materials, parchment, hemp and sackcloth, cold, carved stones, solid, hard, heavy woods, shimmering candles, shattered silences, exciting choirs and ceremonies, and… precious, illuminated pages.”
Michele De Lucchi

“This exhibition speaks of fragments, cuttings, mutilations of codices; despite the fact that few today would publicly condone the mutilation of these important documents, there are many who appreciate the chance to study these extraordinarily eloquent images.”
Adam Lowe

Venice, Isle of San Giorgio Maggiore, September 2016 – January 2017