Ottawa / Gatineau - 26 April 2005 -
Summer will have an Italian flavour in the National Capital Region this year, with Italian-themed exhibitions at two major museums. The Canadian Museum of Civilization plays host to the North American premiere of Pompeii from May 27 until September 12, while the National Gallery of Canada presents the exclusive Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and the Renaissance in Florence from May 29 until September 5.
When Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii in A.D. 79, the volcano turned the wealthy city into a time capsule of life at the height of the Roman Empire. The Canadian Museum of Civilization exhibition Pompeii features nearly 500 artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other archaeological sites near the Bay of Naples — frescoes, sculptures, jewellery, household items and body casts of victims.
“These objects are coming to North America for the first time to tell the human drama of what is likely the worst natural disaster of the ancient world,” says Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “The beauty of these artifacts and what archaeologists and historians have been able to learn from them make for an exhibition that gives visitors a powerful link to the past.”
The National Gallery of Canada’s Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and the Renaissance in Florence presents a rare opportunity to see approximately 125 paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints from one of the most important periods — and places — in the history of art. The exhibition is presented by Bell Canada.
“Florence from 1500 to 1550 fostered an unprecedented explosion of creativity and innovation among such artists as da Vinci, Michelangelo, Piero di Cosimo, Rosso, Pontormo and Bronzino,” says Pierre Théberge, Director of the National Gallery of Canada. “Most of the masterworks in our exhibition have never been seen in North America, let alone together in one show, so we are extremely proud to be able to bring them to Ottawa for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
Special discount
For those who wish to visit both exhibitions, the National Gallery and the Museum of Civilization are offering a special discount: buy a ticket for one show at the regular price, and get a $2 discount on your admission to the other. This offer applies only to the Renaissance and Pompeii exhibitions. Some restrictions may apply.
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