The art of Caravaggio and Reni on show at Vinitaly

Business and the culture of Italian wine come together at Vinitaly (2-5 April 2023). For the first time in history, two masterpieces of painting – Caravaggio’s ‘Bacchus’ and Guido Reni’s ‘Young Bacchus’ – are on show at Veronafiere to celebrate Italy’s artistic heritage, where which wine has always been in the forefront.

Ministers Sangiuliano and Lollobrigida with journalist Bruno Vespa (centre)

The works – loaned by the Uffizi Galleries – can be admired at the 55th Vinitaly by one an all, thanks to collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry and the Ministry of Culture, with the contribution of insurance giant Generali to ensure safe transport.

The ‘Bacco Divino‘ exhibition was inaugurated on 2 April in the ministry show area by the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, and the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano.

“Italy boasts an immense historical tradition handed down over the centuries and this something we must share around the world. The importance of wine over the centuries is immortalised here by two great painters,” aid Minister Sangiuliano during the ceremony unveiling the works.

‘Bacchus’ by Caravaggio (1596-1597) is an original depiction of the famous mythological figure, “holding a goblet which is an invitation to enjoy but not exaggerate. A truly Aristotelian Bacchus,” as Eike Schmidt, Director of the Uffizi Gallery, explained. The seventeenth-century depiction of ‘Young Bacchus’ (1620) by Guido Reni is more classical and smiling, an invitation to enjoy the pleasures of life.

“Vinitaly is an event with no equals in the world of wine and promotes the Italian system in order to open to new markets. For the first time, we have combined art with the food and wine sector thanks to the show with these two prestigious works,” added Minister Lollobrigida.