Exhibition on Giuseppe Zanardelli at Palazzo Tosio

To mark the bicentenary of Giuseppe Zanardelli (1826–1903), Brescia hosts an exhibition dedicated to the statesman from 16 May to 15 November 2026 at Palazzo Tosio. The show explores his political activity and his contribution to civic memory in Italy.

What visitors will see

The exhibition juxtaposes Zanardelli’s public role and private life with original documents and works of art. Main sections include:

• Portraits and sculpture: the collaboration with sculptor Ettore Ximenes and portraiture that shaped Zanardelli’s public image.
• Monuments and memory: documents and designs related to monuments dedicated to Zanardelli and other Risorgimento figures in the city and region.
• Press and satire: period illustrations and cartoons that influenced public perception.
• Personal library: books from Zanardelli’s collection, including key legal texts relevant to the Italian Penal Code.
• Architecture and residence: project drawings for the Maderno villa by Antonio Tagliaferri, illustrating the link between architecture, landscape and personal taste.
• Personal memorabilia: items such as Zanardelli’s desk, chair, inkwell, photographs with dedications and letters.

Cultural project and publications

Curated by Roberta D’Adda and Valerio Terraroli and promoted by local cultural institutions, the exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue published by Skira. A program of seminars and a conference will further develop the exhibition’s themes.

Practical information

• Dates: 16 May 2026 – 15 November 2026
• Venue: Palazzo Tosio, Brescia
• Curators: Roberta D’Adda and Valerio Terraroli
• Organizers: Ateneo di Scienze, Lettere e Arti di Brescia, Municipality of Brescia, Fondazione Brescia Musei and Fondazione Ugo Da Como
• Catalogue: Skira, with contributions by multiple scholars
• City itinerary: the free booklet "Giuseppe Zanardelli. Itineraries" outlines fifteen sites across 19th-century Brescia linked to the statesman

The exhibition is recommended for those interested in the intersections between politics, culture and public representation in post-unification Italy. For details on opening hours, tickets and guided visits, contact Fondazione Brescia Musei.