From 22 November 2025 to 22 February 2026, the Museo Civico Medievale in Bologna hosts a major exhibition dedicated to Bartolomeo Cesi, one of the leading figures of Bolognese painting between the 16th and 17th centuries. The exhibition retraces his so-called “painting of silence,” marked by deep spirituality and a sober, contemplative language, in dialogue with the artistic season of the Carracci.
More than thirty works, including paintings, drawings, and altarpieces, illustrate the evolution of a refined and meditative artist, capable of giving visual form to introspection and inner calm. Curated by Vera Fortunati and promoted by the Municipality of Bologna in collaboration with museum and religious institutions, the exhibition is part of the Jubilee 2025 programme and also involves other city venues.
A special bond connects Bartolomeo Cesi to the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni”: the fresco decorating the renowned Ristorante I Carracci is attributed to his hand, a testament to the continuity between 17th-century painting and the timeless elegance of the hotel.