HKMoA stages first large-scale exhibition of Titian and Venetian Renaissance in Hong Kong (with photos)

     "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Titian and the Venetian Renaissance from the Uffizi" exhibition will be staged at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) starting from today (November 3). Showcasing prestigious collections from the world-renowned Uffizi Galleries in Italy, the exhibition enables visitors to explore the classical works of Titian, who was one of the most important artists in the history of Western art, and those from Venetian School masters from the same period of Titian. This is the first large-scale exhibition of Titian and the Venetian School of painting in Hong Kong. All the 50 exhibits, characterised by their use of rich colours and profound depiction of human emotions, are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time, with many having never been exhibited in Asia before.

     Addressing the opening ceremony held yesterday (November 2), the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to strengthening the city's position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has been collaborating with prestigious museums across the globe to bring world-class exhibitions to Hong Kong over the years. This exhibition was the second collaboration with the Uffizi under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019, bringing the beauty of Italian art to the city.

     Other officiating guests included the Ambassador of Italy to the People's Republic of China, Mr Massimo Ambrosetti; the Director of the Uffizi Galleries, Professor Eike Schmidt; the Executive Manager, Charities (Sports, Culture & Community Engagement) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Yip; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Vincent Cheng; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; and the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok.

     Venice during the Renaissance was an important trading and cultural hub. The affluent setting and unique cultural atmosphere of this city of water nurtured the Venetian School of painters, who were renowned for the use of rich colours and the profound depiction of human emotions. Titian was one of the most important artists of that time, and was highly sought after not only in Venice but across Europe. Titian excels at representing the most intense facets of human sentiment – love, desire, power and spirituality – in an extraordinary way, which made him not only a model for his contemporaries, but his works also profoundly influenced European art, even in the centuries to follow.

     This exhibition features 50 precious works by Titian and Venetian artists of the same period such as Giorgione, Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese and more. The content of the works includes portraits and works of biblical and mythological subjects, enabling the audience to be immersed in the artistic world of the Venetian School of painting. Highlight exhibits include Titian's "Flora", "Venus and Cupid with a Dog and a Partridge", "Portrait of Tommaso Mosti" and "Madonna of Mercy"; Giorgione's "Moses Undergoing Trial by Fire", Tintoretto's "Venus, Cupid and Vulcan" and Veronese's "Baptism of Christ". 

     In addition, the HKMoA has invited local artists Leung Chi Wo and Chan Kwan-lok to draw inspiration from the Venetian School of painting and create their artworks, initiating an artistic dialogue spanning the centuries with 16th century Italian Renaissance masters through the unique perspectives of 21st century Hong Kong artists. 

     The site-specific art installation, "Tears of Tempo" created by visual artist Leung, allows viewers to explore the subtle yet delicate marks of time. Leung collected vintage Venetian glass lamps which have been used at various homes and places in Italy from the 19th and 20th centuries. The flickering light reflected on the vintage Venetian glass, together with the sound track recorded by the artist in Venice in September this year of waves hitting the docks of Murano, represent a transcendental meeting across time and geography.

     Inspired by the fusion of the divine and the human in the Venetian School of painting, artist Chan employs traditional ink techniques to personify natural elements such as the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, trees, and rocks, infusing them with vitality. Through the portrayal of emotions and experiences, he aims to establish a profound connection with nature, bringing it closer to human senses. Through 13 gongbi paintings in his ink art installation, "The Connection with Nature", viewers will be immersed in the profound artistic emotions from both past and present, uncovering the inherent depth and meaning within.

     The exhibition will run from November 3 to February 28 next year at the Special Gallery on the second floor of the HKMoA (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). The exhibition is solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, presented by the LCSD and the MiC – Italian Ministry of Culture, and jointly organised by the HKMoA and the Uffizi Galleries. In collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong, the exhibition is supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong and is a programme of ITALIA on STAGE. For details of the exhibition, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/titian-and-the-venetian-renaissance-from-the-uffizi.html or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.