Academia delle Arte - Pietro Vanucci

Giuliano Giuman - Director of Academia delle Arte

Here in the USA we generally utilize colleges and universities for our elevated art programs, but in Italy students learn the history and skill of art at an Academia.

The Academia delle Arte – Pietro Vanucci in Perugia is the equivalent to a university level art program.

Founded in 1573,  the Academia is not only a school, it is also a museum focusing its collection on statuary, yet also offering a variety of paintings, etchings and drawings concentrating on Umbrian artists. Also on display are creations by students, from giant posters to modern glass works.

The Academia is housed in the 10^th century convent of San Francesco di Prati procured specifically for the Academia. Some of the star attractions include statuary by Michele Angelo as well as a multitude of works by Umbrian artists from past to present. There are even works donated by Casanova.

The impressive collection has been curated by Giuliano Giuman for the past two years. With his tireless direction the statuary has been laid out in a manner reminiscent of the streets, arches and piazzas of Perugia with a very intelligent color choice of slate grey and off white, presenting the bright bluish white of the statuary in a manner that is almost epic in presentation. The statues are housed in a small room and are very close giving the room a sense of grandeur with the shear number of works on display.

 
The collection of paintings have been chosen with purpose and at the same time every placement makes sense. Obviously Giuliano worked tirelessly to make everything work perfectly together in a harmonious manner.

I was recently given a private tour of the Academia by Giuliano. The tour opened my eyes to the history found within Italy, especially the numerous items from the Umbria region.  With such an anthology, the important installation obviously holds the students at the Academia to a high standard. The expectation is evident with the works created by students I saw on display in the inner courtyard of the Academia.

Under the curation of Giuliano the collected works are not only important for Italy, Umbria and Perugia, but also the world. He has put together a grouping and positioned them so that they are in your face compelling one to understand the work that made them possible. The works are significant for the history of statuary in the world.

There was a moment in my visit that stuck out and it was after I saw the collection. Descending the stairs toward the exit there is a huge window looking out over the Umbrian countryside. This was the moment I was able to take in all I had just seen. Even though the museum is small it packs a punch and I was satiated with contentment as I realized this visit and view was indeed me LivingLifesBest.