Italian culture comes to Warwickshire art gallery

Viva Italia! has been inspired by the gallery’s permanent collection of Italian art from Naples, which includes masterpieces from the ‘Golden age’ of Neapolitan art from 1600 to 1800, religious and mythological scenes by Luca Giordano and Francesco Solimena and paintings by artists such as Pietro Fabris, commissioned by the famous British envoy Sir William Hamilton.

There are also pieces by artists such as Pierre-Jacques Volaire and Gaspare Vanvitelli, who were drawn to Naples by its thriving artistic community.

And this weekend (September 13 and 14), the gallery is running an Italian weekend, featuring ‘Rat Pack’ style music with Me and My Shadow and The Mad Hatters dance troupe, Italian cars on display, craft activities where visitors can make their own 3D replica of themselves to add to the gallery’s Italian nativity scene. The Cabinet of Curiosities will perform Italian Baroque music on Sunday.

Italian-themed talks include ‘Canaletto in Britain’ on September 16 at 3pm and ‘The Italian Car’ on September 23 at 3pm. Meanwhile, the gallery’s restaurant is serving two and three-course Italian-themed set menus and Italian wines.

Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm. To find out more, call 645500 or visit www.comptonverney.org.uk