Van Dyck the European: major exhibition at Palazzo Ducale in Genoa

Van Dyck the European: overview

Palazzo Ducale in Genoa hosts a comprehensive exhibition on Anton van Dyck, following his development from his Antwerp apprenticeship to his Italian travels and eventual prominence at the English court. Curated by Anna Orlando and Katlijne Van der Stighelen, the show brings together portraits, religious paintings and large-scale works from leading international collections.

Highlights

• Early self-portrait illustrating the artist's technical skill from a young age.
• A selection of court and bourgeois portraits that reveal Van Dyck's ability to capture personality and social standing.
• Religious works recently re-evaluated and now foregrounded for their artistic value.
• An unpublished Ecce Homo from a European private collection, prompting scholarly debate.
• Loans from major institutions including the Louvre, Prado, National Gallery, Uffizi and others.

Research and discoveries

The exhibition revises the chronology and route of Van Dyck's Italian voyage (1621–1627). New studies indicate that his first stop in Italy was Rome, not Genoa as traditionally reported, with documented stays in Venice, Padua, Mantua, Milan, Turin, Palermo and Naples. The show highlights updated attributions and newly identified sitters.

Why visit

This exhibition provides a broad, readable account of Van Dyck's artistic trajectory—from workshop learning to European celebrity. It is particularly valuable for visitors interested in:

• the shift from Flemish Baroque to a wider European aesthetic;
• the lesser-known religious output of the artist;
• technical and psychological approaches to portraiture.

Practical information

Venue: Palazzo Ducale, Genoa. Curators: Anna Orlando and Katlijne Van der Stighelen. The exhibition gathers about sixty works from public and private lenders. Recommended for lovers of Baroque art, portrait history and visitors keen to explore fresh scholarly perspectives on a pivotal European master.

For opening times, ticketing and guided tours consult the venue's official channels.