| News |
|
Four Biellese in the Risorgimento: the La Marmora brothers In Biella from 22 October to 31 January 2012 A story in four parts On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy the Councillor for Culture of the Town Hall of Biella has launched a rich programme of events under the logo “Biellese Weavers of Unification”, concluding with an exhibition dedicated to the lives and military careers of the La Marmora brothers. Between the birth of Carlo Emanuele, in 1788, and the year of the death of Alfonso, in 1878, the four La Marmora brothers were protagonists of an extraordinary “history within History”. These ninety years span the end of the Ancien Régime and the beginning of modern Italy, including the Napoleonic era , the Restoration, the riots of 1821, the three Wars of Independence , the expedition to the Crimea , the Unification of Italy, Rome as capital and many other events which changed the face of Europe forever. The exhibition is held in four locations: in San Sebastiano, Palazzo Lamarmora, Palazzo Ferrero and the head offices of the Biverbanca in via Carso 15.
• Basilica di San Sebastiano: the La Marmora Crypt The four generals and their ancestors and descendents are buried in the basilica of San Sebastiano, in the La Marmora crypt. Here three information panels reveal to the visitor how the history of the basilica is interwoven with that of the people who are buried there, over a period of time ranging from 1500 to 1911. Via Q. Sella Permanent exhibition From Monday to Saturday Opening hours: 09-11.30 14.30-17.30 Info: 01521703
• Palazzo La Marmora: the family in the Risorgimento At Palazzo La Marmora, the family birthplace,paintings displayed for the first time and curios tell the story of the La Marmora family, highlighting the experiences of its lesser-known members and outlining the lives of some of the women. The itinerary begins with three noteworthy portraits, the work of Clementina (1692-1771), famous Piedmontese artist of the eighteenth century: Carlo Emanuele III on horseback, Lady with Little Dog, and the Prince of Masserano. Standing out among the paintings which tell the story of Filippo La Marmora, diplomatic “weaver” of matrimonial contracts between the Savoys and French Royalty, are the ones depicting the counts of Provence , work of the French painter François-Hubert Drouais (1727-1775). A “first ”: the three family groups by Pietro Ayres. Beside the well-known ”The La Marmora Family”, the very paradigm of the exhibition, are the previously unseen “ The Scarampi Family of Villanova” and the well-known but enigmatic “Family Portrait”. Closing this section is a room devoted to the geologist and scientist Alberto La Marmora, where naturalistic exhibits from the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences of Turin are displayed with autographs, drawings and original editions from the La Marmora house. Corso del Piazzo 19 22 October-31 January 2012 From Thursday to Sunday15-18.30 until 18 December 26 December, 1 and 6 January 15-18.30 From 7 to 31 January Saturday and Sunday 15-18.30 CLOSED: 24, 25, 31 December Info: 015352533 int.2 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Palazzo Ferrero: the battle field At Palazzo Ferrero, today the property of the Town Council of Biella, mementos, prints, sketches and medals bring back to life the military career of the La Marmora brothers and the political events of the Risorgimento in which they played such important roles. Among the objects of great historical value which have returned to Biella for this occasion are four Collars of the Santissima Annunziata, the highest honour conferred by the Savoys. From the Museum of Cuirassiers in Rome comes the first standard of the corps of the king’s Body Guards, of which Carlo Emanuele La Marmora was commander-in-chief. From the Museum of the Voloire in Milan the cocked hat of Alfonso La Marmora, who founded the corps. From the Historical Museum of the Bersaglieri in Rome the original model of the rifle which was designed and assembled by Alessandro La Marmora. It is also possible to admire the shawl woven with gold which was given to Alfonso La Marmora by Omar Pasha Latas during the war, as well as valuable military prints, sketches, documents from the State Archives and the busts which decorate the grand staircase in the Town Hall of Biella, one of which was the work of Odoardo Tabacchi. Corso del Piazzo 25 22 October – 6 January Saturday and Sunday15-18.30 8 December, 26 December 1 and 6 January 15-18.30 CLOSED: 24, 25, 31 December Info: 0152529345 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.biellesitessitoridiunita.it
• Head Offices Biverbanca: Alfonso La Marmora in Florence At the Headquarters of the Biverbanca, in via Carso 15, the exhibition describes the close relationship between Alfonso La Marmora and his wife Jane Bertie Mathew, during the years when they lived in Florence, capital of Italy at that time. This section displays several important portraits including some signed by the English artist Thomas Philips (1770-1845) and by Michele Gordigiani (1835-1909), as well as a valuable collection of rare Tuscan military decorations. Also worthy of note in this section is a model of the statue created by Stanislao Grimaldi depicting Alfonso La Marmora on horseback, which can be found in Turin in Piazza Bodoni. This is an original large-scale plaster cast. Via Carso 15 22 October - 31 January Visits by appointment Info: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 0153508302 - 0153508540
|
