Drawn from Italy Mantegna to Kauffmann exhibition open at Rotorua Museum

Drawn from Italy features 25 drawings and prints selected from Te Papa’s European collection. The works illustrate the influence of Italian ideas about art that spread throughout Europe from the time of the Renaissance.

Dating from the late 15th century to the late 18th century, they were created by artists who were Italian, worked in Italy, or derived their subjects from Italian sources.

The exhibition gives a sense of the major shift that occurred in the 15th century when art moved from illustrating abstract religious ideas to describing the real world. The role of the artist also changed from that of an anonymous craftsman to a named individual.

The working drawings themselves became valued as representing the visible thoughts of the artist in producing a finished work of art and were avidly collected.

The exhibition will only be on display at Rotorua Museum until 10 July 2011.

Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to Museum, which is free for Rotorua residents with ID.