La Spezia: "Rethinking Romanticism" at CAMeC — exhibition 11 April–13

Rethinking Romanticism in Contemporary Art

When: 11 April – 13 September 2026

Where: CAMeC – Centre for Modern and Contemporary Art, Piazza Cesare Battisti 1, La Spezia.

Curated by Elena Volpato, this exhibition examines how the spiritual and visual heritage of nineteenth-century Romantic painters resonates in contemporary practices. The show brings together works by seven international artists, many created for this presentation, and stages a dialogue between historical references and current artistic research.

What to expect

The exhibition is organized around three conceptual threads that reflect different facets of Romanticism:

• Metaphysical sublime: works that evoke spiritual depth and the individual’s encounter with vastness.
• Direct naturalism: pieces that embrace straightforward landscape observation, plein-air methods and mnemonic painting gestures.
• Landscape as a mental space: artworks where colour and mark-making transform the scene into an emotional and reflective realm.

Featured artists include Giovanni Anselmo, Massimo Bartolini, Ian Kiaer, David Schutter, Linda Fregni Nagler, Pesce Khete and Michele Tocca. The programme spans sculpture, photographic archives, site-specific installations and outdoor painting, prompting reflections on wonder, loss, memory and the cultural legacies embedded in imagery.

Visitor information

Allow 60–90 minutes to fully experience the exhibition and its accompanying texts. Check opening hours and access rules on the museum’s official website before visiting.

• Curator: Elena Volpato
• Artists: Giovanni Anselmo, Massimo Bartolini, Ian Kiaer, David Schutter, Linda Fregni Nagler, Pesce Khete, Michele Tocca
• Venue: CAMeC, Piazza Cesare Battisti 1, La Spezia
• Website: https://camec.sp.it/
• Social: @camec (Facebook/Instagram)

This exhibition offers a contemporary reactivation of Romantic themes, suitable for audiences interested in the intersections between historical painting and present-day artistic inquiry. For ticketing, guided tours or accessibility information consult the CAMeC website.