An Evening with Nosadella at the Italian Embassy

In January 2024, the Gaudium Magnum Foundation – Maria e João Cortez de Lobão, together with the Italian Embassy in Lisbon, organized a special evening dedicated to art, dialogue, and cultural exchange. Hosted by the Italian Ambassador, Carlo Formosa, the event centered on the presentation of The Madonna and child with Saints by Francesco Bezzi, known as Nosadella — a remarkable work from the Foundation’s collection.

The painting was introduced by Valentina Rossi, Director of the Foundation, who guided guests through a close encounter with the artwork. Her talk emphasized the importance of looking at art beyond names and dates, encouraging the audience to explore the power of direct, physical engagement with the work itself. Through the lens of “michelangiolismo padano,” Rossi highlighted Nosadella’s place in the artistic landscape of sixteenth-century Bologna and argued for the rediscovery of an artist long overshadowed by his contemporaries.

The evening was also marked by the generous hospitality of the Embassy of Italy, which offered a dinner reception, creating a convivial setting for dialogue between guests from the worlds of art, culture, and diplomacy.

This event reflected the Foundation’s mission of fostering cultural ties and bringing people together around the shared experience of art.