The Time of Play: Loris Betti Collection at MARV, Gradara

The Time of Play – Loris Betti Collection

From March 22 to June 7 the MARV – Museo d’Arte Rubini Vesin in Gradara opens the exhibition "The Time of Play", showcasing selected historic toys from the Loris Betti Collection. The display traces the development of play as a historical, social and educational phenomenon, featuring rare and intriguing objects.

Exhibition route and main themes

The exhibition is organized into thematic sections that highlight different roles of play over time:

• Educational play: teaching tools and games linked to Pinocchio, honoring the centenary of the author.
• Toys for girls: items reflecting period values and social roles, such as domestic play and the cultural ideal of marriage.
• Travel, sport and spectacle: games inspired by travel, sport and early cinema, including magic lanterns and toy projectors.
• Board and gambling games: goose games, tombolas, cards and boards that reveal past customs, tastes and social habits.

Interactive experiences and digital resources

An area of the exhibition presents working reproductions of selected games so visitors can try them firsthand. Additional digital materials are available for self-guided exploration via smartphone, providing historical and visual context.

The Loris Betti Collection

Born from the collector’s childhood interest in paper games, the Loris Betti Collection grew through careful acquisitions to document play from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century. The collection serves as a research tool to study play as a social and cultural phenomenon rather than as mere accumulation.

Gradara and MARV: a hub for play culture

Gradara has a consolidated tradition of promoting play as an educational and cultural medium. The MARV, housed in Palazzo Rubini Vesin, supports this legacy with exhibitions and educational programs; since 2023 it has developed a unique exhibition cycle in Italy dedicated to the history and cultural meaning of play.

Practical information

• When: March 22 – June 7
• Where: MARV – Museo d’Arte Rubini Vesin, Gradara (Palazzo Rubini Vesin)
• Activities: guided visits, hands-on reproduction area, smartphone-enabled digital content

For opening hours, ticketing and school programs refer to the museum’s official channels.