Giovanni Boldini

Graceful and elegant women were the undisputed protagonists not only of Alphonse Mucha’s works but also of those by Giovanni Boldini (Ferrara, 1842 – Paris, 1931), who, like the Czech artist, lived permanently in Paris, where he established himself as a highly sought-after portraitist for a wealthy international clientele.

For this exhibition, a significant selection of paintings, drawings, and engravings dedicated to the theme of portraiture and the female figure will be presented in the Tisi Wing of Palazzo dei Diamanti. These works come from the Museo Giovanni Boldini, the most important public collection of the great Ferrarese master’s works, which will reopen in the renovated Palazzo Massari in 2026. Alongside masterpieces such as The Lady in Pink and Firework, the exhibition will present studies of full-length female figures or portraits, highlighting the artist’s dynamic engagement with his subjects. These works also reveal his remarkable ability to capture poses and expressions, infusing his paintings with vitality and movement. Boldini’s distinctive style, characterized by a rapid yet controlled brushstroke, makes his work instantly recognizable and unique.

Organized by Fondazione Ferrara Arte and Servizio Musei d’Arte del Comune di Ferrara