Dedicated to Giambattista Tiepolo, Menarini proudly presented its precious art monograph this month in Vicenza at Villa Valmarana Ai Nani.

The villa, in fact, from 1757 has been home to the magnificent Rococo frescoes created by Giambattista Tiepolo and his son, Giandomenico, who decorated both the main villa as well as the guest house. 

The rich decorative tradition of Venice, birthplace of Giambattista Tiepolo, was expressed by the artist with masterful paintings and frescoes also in Udine, Milan, Bergamo and Venice itself.  Reaching beyond national borders, Tiepolo’s splendid and impressive works also decorated noble palaces in Würzburg (Germany) and in Madrid (the Royal Palace - Spain), spreading his reputation as a remarkably witted narrative artist able to make the solidness and plasticity of the human figure come alive with the brilliant use of sunlight.

The Superintendent for Historical and Artistic Heritage of the provinces of Verona, Rovigo and Vicenza, Saverio Urciuoli, inaugurated the evening with a welcoming speech.

Presenting the book published with Silvana Editoriale were two exceptional moderators, Prof. Antonio Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums, and the author Prof. Giovanni C.F. Villa.

“I came here today to present the most beautiful and important study among the many written about Tiepolo in the last 50 years because it fully captures the characteristics that made him the best representative of eighteenth century Venetian art.  Voltaire, Mozart, Canova and Metastasio are depicted in his frescoes in a wonderfully sublime manner,” stated Prof. Antonio Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums.  “Once again I wish to thank Menarini which has continued to dedicate intelligent attention towards Italian art over the years and has supported this editorial initiative, along with the Minuti magazine, which I have always read with great interest ever since I was a young student.”

“Tiepolo is an artist with an extraordinary capacity for lightness, visual architecture and a style of unmistakable joy,” said Prof. Giovanni C.F. Villa.  “The artist also excels in his highly refined use of chiaroscuro and is the true heir of Rembrandt, extending his art to Würzburg and Madrid.”

“Since 1956 our company has been spreading Italian culture by proudly publishing a historical series of monographs dedicated to Italian artists,” said Pio Mei, General Manager of the Menarini pharmaceutical group.  “It is a tradition that we uphold with great tenacity and passion.  It represents our contribution to promoting the inherent value of Italian cultural heritage.”