Lecture by Professor Carlo Bertelli: “An Encounter with Piero della Francesca”

Professor Bertelli is an academic specializing in mediaeval art, the author of numerous books on Italian art, who for many years held the post of director of the Pinacoteca di Brera. In his lecture he analysed in detail the place and significance of Piero della Francesca in the pantheon of Early Renaissance artists, stressing the originality of his creative searchings and discoveries, and also gave a deep scholarly analysis of his main works. The lecture ended with a serious, enthusiastic dialogue between the Professor and the audience, after which many of its members thanked the Professor personally and requested his autograph.

The interest in the newly-opened exhibition was so great that the lecture, organized by the Hermitage’s Youth Centre in conjunction with the Hermitage–Italy Centre, drew 400 people, the maximum number that the Atrium of the General Staff can accommodate.

Professor Bertelli’s lecture was the first event in a large educational programme that will accompany the exhibition “Piero della Francesca. Monarch of Painting” through until 10 March 2019.