Vittorio Zecchini, “One and thousand nights”, 1914, © Musée d’Orsay,

It starts with furniture by Bugatti (the brother of… ) and Eugenio Quarti, presented at the Universal exhibition of Turin in 1902. An amazing painting by Pelizza da Volpedo, « The Mirror of life », shows a series of sheep following each other. So funny and so true ! In a small room full of Vittorio Zecchinis, one discovers the versatility of this artist with a mosaic of the Rois Mages, many glass artifacts collected by Mitchell Wolfson, Jr and the painting of « One and thousand nights » with gold chips painted over the canvas. Quite magical.

Carlo Bugatti, Chair, covered in parchment, 1902, © Musée d’Orsay,

Alberto Gerardi, Flower carrier, © Musée d’Orsay,

The wood carver Vittorio Ducrot from Palermo is represented by a nice chest, a 360° sculpture by Renato Bertelli of Mussolini is striking as are of course the paintings by de Chirico and those of Donghi (« the Christening » and « the Equestrian Circus ») at the end of the exhibition. Venini vases by Scarpa and Zecchini (who was born and died in Murano), and an interesting black and white film showing the inauguration of the Venice Biennale in 1927 conclude this show of a hundred pieces. (until September 13)