Boldini in Lucca: a major exhibition at the Cavallerizza between Italy

Boldini in Lucca: exhibition overview

The exhibition at the Cavallerizza in Lucca outlines Giovanni Boldini’s artistic journey, an Italian-born painter who rose to prominence in Paris during the late nineteenth century. The show brings together approximately 100 works and arranges them to highlight stylistic and thematic links between his Florentine formation and his Parisian career.

Periods, style and themes

The display emphasizes two main phases: the early Florentine years connected to the Macchiaioli approach—with attention to light and social reality—and the later consolidation as a fashionable portraitist in France. Highlights include:

• connections to Macchiaioli painting and formative experiences in Florence;
• the evolution toward a more dynamic, luminous brushwork;
• portraits and society scenes that established his reputation in Paris.

What to see and why

Visitors will encounter representative canvases from Boldini’s different periods, including large-scale portraits and smaller, intimate works that illustrate his technical development. The restrained, well-lit installation helps appreciate his brushwork and color choices.

Practical tips for visiting

• Location: Cavallerizza, Lucca. Check the venue’s official channels for the exact address.
• Tickets and opening times: verify opening hours, possible closures and ticketing information on the official site; exhibitions often use timed-entry tickets.
• Visit length: allow at least 60–90 minutes to view the exhibition at a comfortable pace.
• Photography and accessibility: check rules regarding photography and services for visitors with special needs.

Why attend

This exhibition offers a clear framework to understand Boldini’s artistic evolution—from the Italian context to an international stage—and to observe how his painting responded to cultural shifts at the end of the nineteenth century.