Museum of Art to showcase works from Renaissance artist Botticelli

     To mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and Italy, the first exhibition jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) and the Uffizi Galleries from Italy, "Botticelli and His Times – Masterworks from the Uffizi", will open to the public on Friday (October 23). The exhibition will celebrate the cultural exchange between the two countries and offer the Hong Kong public an opportunity to explore the art and culture of the Renaissance during the 15th and 16th centuries.
 
     A cultural movement that grew out of Florence, the Renaissance was a period in history when people rediscovered and developed a renewed interest in the classic Greek and Roman cultures. Humanist ideas were embraced in various fields such as philosophy, art and scientific research, with a focus on humanity, exploration and the discovery of truth. As a world-famous art museum with a long history, the Uffizi Galleries houses a massive collection of important works from the Renaissance.
 
     Through the display of 42 precious works from the Uffizi Galleries, this exhibition presents the humanist ideals pursued by artists at the time, as reflected in their portraits and religious paintings. The exhibition, curated by Maria Sframeli for the Uffizi Galleries, focuses on paintings by Sandro Botticelli, and these are juxtaposed with works of other masters of the time such as Filippo Lippi to further reveal the relationships between artists and patrons, shedding light on the pivotal role of the Medici family and the literati in the emergence of a new era in history.
 
     The curatorial team of the HKMoA is presenting a selection of treasured works from the Uffizi Galleries in a fresh and modern light. The team invited local designer and illustrator Thomas Siu and his team to create illustrations and animations for the exhibition. The team have curated a fun and engaging experience that will take visitors on a journey through time, as visitors discover the history, visual language and philosophy hidden in every masterpiece, as well as look at tradition with a Hong Kong viewpoint.
 
     The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism of Italy, jointly organised by the HKMoA and the Uffizi Galleries from Italy, and solely sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. It is one of the exhibitions in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series. The exhibition is arranged in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong and the Chinese-Italian Cultural Society, with the First Initiative Foundation as the Community Partner. It is supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong and is part of the programme of "Italia Mia".
 
     The exhibition will run until February 24 next year. The HKMoA is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
 
     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the museum will apply a quota to limit visitor flow. Visitors to the museum will need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Children under 12 will only be allowed to enter the museum and exhibition facilities when accompanied by an adult. For details of the exhibition and the admission arrangements, please visit the website at hk.art.museum/en_US/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/botticelli-and-his-times-masterworks-from-the-uffizi.html, or call 2721 0116 for enquiries.