The exhibition traces how the standards of Beauty and Ugliness evolved from the last quarter of the 15th century to the end of the 16th century—key transitional periods—by juxtaposing in a rich and compelling confrontation the ways in which these two subjects were interpreted by the greatest Italian artists and their counterparts from Northern Europe. Beauty became an increasingly important social concern at this time, as shown by the rising number of 16th-century publications offering “recipes for looking beautiful” and advice on cosmetics and care. Meanwhile, Ugliness also grew in prominence in art, appearing in a widening range of forms throughout the same period.
Over 90 exceptional works are on display at Bozar. The selection includes works by renowned artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Leonardo da Vinci, Frans Floris de Vriendt, Albrecht Dürer, Lorenzo Lotto, Quentin Metsys,Titian, Tintoretto, Carracci, Bordone, Sellaer, Dürer, Veronese, Campi, Dossi...
The exhibition brings together these precious works from public and private collections across Europe and the United States. The prestigious lenders include: the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, Museo Nazionale Romano in Rome, the Vatican Museum, the Louvre, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Galleria Borghese in Rome and the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.
An adapted form of the exhibition will travel to the Gallerie d’Italia in Milan ( 9 July → 18 Oct.'26).
Partner: Intesa Sanpaolo
Support: Vlaamse Overheid , Belgian Federal Public Service, Foreign Affairs, Foreign trade & Development Cooperation
Beauty and ugliness reinforce each other.
The exhibition “Bellezza e Bruttezza” offers a new perspective on the dynamic tension between beauty and ugliness, exploring their most compelling expressions from the late fifteenth to the end of the sixteenth century—a pivotal moment in history.
“Bellezza e Bruttezza” reveals a nuanced vision of the Renaissance, inspired by the period’s understanding of the human being and the world. For Bozar, the exhibition is also a unique opportunity to unfold a multidisciplinary programme reflecting on contemporary perceptions of physical beauty.
This important exhibition - created especially for Bozar - brings together masterpieces of Renaissance art that seldom travel. It is a unique occasion to see these remarkable artworks in Brussels. The exhibition builds upon a long tradition of Bozar of presenting Old Masters. It explores an issue that has long motivated artists and raised great debate in society: what - and who is considered beautiful? And why? The exhibition highlights the continuity of Western standards of beauty. And the parallel exhibition of contemporary art – “Picture Perfect” - attempts to unpick some of these norms from our 21st-century perspective.
