The exhibition “Baroque Elegances. Isabelle de Borchgrave in the Casa Museo” set up at the Casa Museo Zani (via Fantasina 8) in Cellatica and open until 30 April 2023. A unique event organized as part of Bergamo Brescia Italian Capital of Culture 2023 and which combines elegance and charm bringing in Franciacorta some of the most enchanting and at the same time curious creations of the Belgian artist.

Art and fashion in the eighteenth century on display in Franciacorta

The initiative allows you to immerse yourself in an interesting journey through eighteenth-century art and fashion seen through the eyes and hands of Isabelle de Borchgrave, one of the most fascinating contemporary artists. To tell us about it, five magnificent sculpture dresses made entirely of paper and cut, folded, painted, ruffled and pleated by her until they transform into authentic masterpieces with a look of brocade, satin, lace to pay homage to the eighteenth-century style.

Gli splendidi manufatti sono per la prima volta posti in dialogo con lo straordinario patrimonio della Casa Museo, dove a fare da sfondo troviamo i quadri di Boucher, Canaletto, Guardi e gli eccezionali arredi che compongono il patrimonio permanente, per un risultato che rievoca i fasti del secolo “illuminato” riportandoci alle corti di Madame de Pompadour e di Maria Antonietta.

These are the five sculpture dresses, with relative locations within the museum and the fashion accessories that accompany them:

• • Room dedicated to Canaletto: white and blue robe à la française and two pairs of rococo-style shoes, with circular buckle and upper embellished with floral embroidery
  • Temporary exhibition hall: robe à la française with large side baskets, a great novelty of French rococo with an incredible soft silk effect
  • Salon of the Octagon: robe à la polonaise, probably informal walking dress, supported by a back tournure
  • Wardrobe of the House Museum: tribute to the Orient with the colored Kimono that communicates with the doors of the Chinese screen in coromandel lacquer (mid-17th century)
  • Camera del Ridotto: Venetian robe supported by panier and where the paper is treated as corduroy.

The result is a constant and silent presence that gives further value to the exhibition itinerary of the House Museum, whose permanent collection is mainly focused on the themes of Venice and France of the eighteenth century, the Orient and Baroque Rome.

Isabelle de Borchgrave, the Belgian inspiration lands in Franciacorta

Isabelle de Borchgrave (1946, Brussels) is the contemporary artist famous in particular for her painting works and the creation of paper sculpture dresses. With experience in fashion, advertising and interior design, since 1994 she has mostly dedicated herself to the creation of paper costumes for museum exhibitions, giving rise to spectacular exhibitions including Papiers à la Mode.

To find out more visit the official site of Isabelle de Borchgrave.

Exhibition “Baroque elegance. Isabelle de Borchgrave in the House Museum”: information for the visit

The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Friday 9-13 and Saturday and Sunday 10-17.

Access to the House Museum and the exhibition is allowed only with a guided tour by reservation. To reserve your seat: www.fondazionezani.com – [email protected] – +39 030 2520479. We also recommend a visit to the wonderful Italian garden of over three thousand square meters, where sculptures, fountains, architectural elements and cultures blend with nature and with a unique collection of water lilies and aquatic plants.

Do you want to know our accommodation, stay and food and wine proposals in the heart of Franciacorta, a few km from Casa Museo Zani? Contact us!