Forlì plays a central role in the new exhibition "Guercino, a new look", which will be held at the Church of San Lorenzo in Cento (Ferrara) from Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Thanks to the generosity of the Townof Forlì, five extraordinary works from the Palazzo del Merenda will enrich this exhibition, confirming the importance of Forlì in the cultural and artistic landscape of Emilia-Romagna.

The five works from Forlì

The protagonists of the exhibition are the two great altarpieces by Guercino: "The Annunciation" (1648) and "St. John the Baptist" (1653-1655).
They are flanked by the "Madonna of the Rosary with Saints Dominic and Catherine" by Guercino's nephew Benedetto Gennari and the altarpiece of "Saints Anne and Joachim Kneeling before the Eternal" by Cristoforo Serra.

Next to it is the "Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine of Alexandria" by Giuseppe Maria Galeppini.

These are all paintings capable of entering into a close dialogue with the heritage already on display in the Pinacoteca di Cento, as well as with other works housed in the Church of San Lorenzo itself.

A journey among hidden masterpieces

The exhibition offers the opportunity to discover works of art that are currently inaccessible, thanks not only to Forlì's contribution, but also to works from churches and museums in Cento and other places in Emilia-Romagna that are closed for restoration. An itinerary that makes it possible to explore the artistic universe of Guercino and his school, rediscovering the importance of these masterpieces in the artistic context of the time.

In this way, Forlì confirms its role as a fundamental partner in the project to enhance Guercino's artistic legacy, offering the public a unique opportunity to admire extraordinary works exhibited together for the first time.

The exhibition, sponsored by the Regione Emilia-Romagna, the Municipality of Forlì, the Municipality of Cento, the Patrimonio degli Studi Foundation of Cento and the Cassa di Risparmio Foundation of Cento, was curated by a scientific committee composed of Cristina Ambrosini, Daniele Benati, Stefano Benetti, Lorenzo Lorenzini, Lorenza Montanari, Maria Luisa Pacelli, Mons. Paolo Marabini, Antonio Iommelli, Manuel Ferrari, Silvia Battistini and Giovanni Sassu.