From May 31 to September 14, 2025, the Pinacoteca Civica di Como (Como Civic Art Gallery) hosted “Il mondo intimo di Ugo Bernasconi” (The Intimate World of Ugo Bernasconi).
The exhibition offered visitors a unique opportunity to discover the artistic evolution and personal world of one of Lombardy’s most refined 20th-century painters.
Through paintings, portraits and intimate family scenes, visitors could explore the emotions, memories and artistic influences that shaped Bernasconi’s work.
An Exhibition Exploring Art and Personal Expression
Curated by Elena Di Raddo, the exhibition was inspired by an important recent donation from one of the artist’s heirs.
Alongside numerous works by Ugo Bernasconi, visitors could admire paintings by artists closely connected to him, including Vittore Grubicy de Dragon, Tullio Garbari and Piero Marussig.
In total, the exhibition featured approximately 50 artworks.
The exhibition occupied the first-floor galleries of the Pinacoteca and the Campo quadro exhibition space.
Moreover, it guided visitors through the main themes and artistic styles that characterised Bernasconi’s career.
These included his early Divisionist landscapes, followed by monochromatic paintings influenced by his time in the Paris studio of Eugène Carrière.
In addition, the exhibition presented portraits of women shown at the Venice Biennale and the Rome Quadriennale, as well as sketches created during his travels.
Another important section focused on his family paintings, featuring his wife and children.
These works became particularly significant after Bernasconi moved to Cantù in 1918.
Art as Poetic Memory
At the heart of the exhibition were paintings that revealed the artist’s most personal and emotional side.
Among them was La figliolanza (The Children), a work reflecting Bernasconi’s strong connection to his family.
A significant self-portrait also offered insight into the artist’s identity and creative vision.
Meanwhile, a selection of delicate still-life paintings, displayed outside the main exhibition rooms, highlighted his continuous artistic exploration.
For Bernasconi, painting was not simply about reproducing visible reality. Instead, it was a way to express inner feelings and personal experiences.
As he wrote in his 1924 book Pensieri ai pittori (Thoughts for Painters):
“You must not paint what is in front of you, but what is inside you.”
This philosophy reflected the deeply introspective nature of his work.
A Cultural Project Celebrating Como’s Artistic Heritage
The exhibition was part of “L’arte del dono” (The Art of Giving), a project developed by the Pinacoteca Civica di Como.
The initiative aimed to highlight the importance of donations that have enriched the museum’s collections over the years.
Furthermore, these contributions have helped preserve and strengthen the cultural identity of the city of Como.
The exhibition was organised with the support of Villa Erba Spa.
Useful Information: Ugo Bernasconi Exhibition in Como
Exhibition: The Intimate World of Ugo Bernasconi
Dates: May 31 – September 14, 2025
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Last admission: 5:30 PM
Admission: Included in the Pinacoteca Civica admission ticket or with the CoMmUnity Card.
Location: Pinacoteca Civica di Como, Palazzo Volpi, Como, Italy.
Phone: +39 031 269869
Email: pinacoteca@comune.como.it
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