Fede Galizia on Display Again at the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte

Fede Galizia returns to Capodimonte: the rediscovered altarpiece

From April 2026 the Reggia di Capodimonte officially exhibits the altarpiece Adoration of the Magi (1610), attributed to Fede Galizia. Part of the Bourbon Collection for more than two centuries, the work had not previously been shown in the royal palace; it is now installed in Room 79 of the second-floor gallery, reopened for the occasion.

Why this is significant

The painting represents an important recovery in the production of a notable female painter active between the 16th and 17th centuries. Its composition recalls Leonardo and Raffaello influences while fitting into the Neapolitan context where late-Mannerist traits and Caravaggesque elements coexist. Recent scholarly research has led to a renewed and confident attribution.

Historical background and provenance

The work was originally commissioned in Naples and preserved in local church settings before entering the royal collections. Over the centuries its attribution and location underwent changes that obscured the artist’s authorship until modern research re-established its origins. The return to the Reggia highlights the museum’s role in preserving and re-evaluating historic collections.

What to see nearby

• Contemporary works in adjacent rooms that illustrate painting in Naples from the late 1500s to the early 1600s.
• A second work by Fede Galizia in Naples: the altarpiece Saint Charles in Ecstasy at the church of San Carlo alle Mortelle.
• A section highlighting women artists and their presence in art history, offering comparative perspectives across the period.

Visitor information

• Location: Room 79, second-floor gallery, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte.
• Availability: on view from early April 2026; the second-floor gallery was reopened for the installation.
• Special days: the first Sunday of the month usually offers free admission (check for specific closures such as the Royal Park on certain holidays).
• Visitor tips: check the museum’s official channels for opening hours, ticketing and guided tours; allow time to explore surrounding rooms and the permanent collection.

The permanent display of this altarpiece is an occasion to reconsider the role of women painters in Italy’s art history and to appreciate Fede Galizia’s contribution within Capodimonte’s extensive holdings.