The Renaissance of Pordenone: discovering Giovanni Antonio de’Sacchis

The Renaissance of Pordenone  – Masterpieces of a Great Painter

Pordenone celebrates its greatest painter, Giovanni Antonio de’Sacchis known as “il Pordenone”, with a huge exhibition scheduled from 25th October 2019 to 02nd February 2020. “Il Rinascimento di Pordenone” exhibition aims at celebrating one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, described by Vasari as a painter focused on constantly improving his style.

Born in 1483, Pordenone worked in many locations in Northern Italy: from Cremona to Mantua, from Treviso to Venice, without forgetting its birthplace. There are many works by Pordenone in Pordenone surroundings: from the famous Madonna della Misericordia, in the local Duomo, to the organ doors of the Cathedral of Spilimbergo, to  many frescoes kept in little churches in Valeriano, Pinzano and Travesio.

The life of Pordenone reveals a mystery: he was found dead in a tavern in Ferrara in 1539 and some people think it did not happen by accident. In his last years, as a matter of fact, Pordenone had acquired more and more success and fame in Venice, “challenging” Tiziano: some think that the latter, envious of his new enemy, took revenge in a cruel way.

The Renaissance of Pordenone – 3 iconic locations 

The exhibition mainly is based in Galleria d’Arte Moderna,  but there are some works in Palazzo Ricchieri, the local Art Museum, and in the Duomo as well. The exhibition in Galleria d’Arte Moderna presents the artistic production of Pordenone and other artists with more than 50 works: there will be works by his precursors, like Gianfrancesco da Tolmezzo, by his contemporaries, such as Giorgione, Parmigianino, Titian, and by his followers such as Pomponio Amalteo.

The works in this exhibition come from important Italian and international museums such as the Louvre, the British Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Uffizi Galleries, as well as from museums and churches of Friuli, Veneto and Lombardy.

In Palazzo Ricchieri you can admire other paintings and works by Pordenone by visiting the permanent exhibition on the second floor, while in the Duomo you can admire the Madonna della Misericordia, a San Rocco (the painter self-portrait) and a Sant’Erasmo.

A Weekend with Art: our Offer 

FRIDAY

Arrival in Pordenone. Before checking in you can stop for a walk in Sacile, a town that has earned the title of “Garden of Venice“: it offers monuments of considerable artistic interest, such as the Duomo, as well as evocative views created by Livenza river. If you have time, continue your visit by moving to Polcenigo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. In the evening discover the excellence of local food and wine, dining at the restaurant “Alla Catina”, in the heart of Pordenone.

SATURDAY

Discover the Renaissance of Pordenone: organize your day freely, discovering the traces left by Giovanni Antonio de’Sacchis in his hometown. You have several possibilities to learn about Pordenone (both the town and the painter):

• Rent audio guides available at the city info point. Follow the path traced by the audio guides and visit the “painted city”, which will amaze you with its frescoed buildings, the long covered arcades, and the Duomo, where you can already admire some works by Giovanni Antonio de Sacchis.
• From 10:00 to 12:00 am and from 02:00 to 06:00 pm, do not miss the exhibition in Galleria d’Arte Moderna (viale Dante, 33), while from 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm you can visit Palazzo Ricchieri.
• Between one visit and another, enjoy the lively atmosphere of Pordenone old town, full of shops, wine bars and typical restaurants: for a delicious lunch we recommend Prosciutteria F.lli Martin, where you can taste excellent dishes based on the “king “of Friuli cuisine, Prosciutto di San Daniele. For dinner we recommend Osteria Turlonia, located just ten minutes away from Pordenone. Here Federico, the young chef, is ready to tell you a story through his recipes inspired by tradition.

SUNDAY

For your third day of visits we advise you not to miss the visit of Spilimbergo, home of the Mosaic School of Friuli, where you can rent some audio guides that will lead you through your visit. Spilimbergo, which in 2013 was awarded with the title of “Jewel of Italy”, presents a marvelous Duomo with fourteenth-century frescoes (including those made by Pordenone on the doors of the organ), a Painted Palace with a colorful facade, and an old town full of paved alleys and arcades.

If you are looking for more works left by De’Sacchis, you can visit some small churches located not far from Spilimbergo: we recommend the Church of S. Stefano and the Oratory of Santa Maria dei Battuti in Valeriano, and the Cathedral of Valvasone. Here, Pordenone began to paint on the doors of the sixteenth-century organ, and his work was finished by his son-in-law Pomponio Amalteo.

RATES (offer valid from 26th October 2019 to 02nd February 2020)

From 220.00 € per person. The rate includes:

• 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in double room with BB treatment
• 2 FVG CARD 48h free (including 2 free audio guides in Pordenone, 2 free audio guides in Spilimbergo, 2 admission tickets to Palazzo Ricchieri, 2 admission tickets to the Modern Art Gallery)
• 1 dinner at the restaurant “La Catina”, or similar, 3-course menu, drinks excluded
• 1 dinner at the restaurant “Osteria Turlonia” or similar, 3-course menu, drinks excluded
• 1 lunch in Prosciutteria F.lli Martin, 2-course menu, drinks excluded.

Contact us to book or get more information!