Bartolomeo Cesi. Painting of Silence in the Age of the Carracci

22/11/2025 - 17:30 | 22/02/2026 - 19:30

The Museo Civico Medievale hosts a major monographic exhibition dedicated to Bartolomeo Cesi, a leading figure in Bolognese painting between the 16th and 17th centuries. More than thirty works including paintings, drawings, and altarpieces tell the story of his “painting of silence,” an intimate and spiritual language distinguished by balance and composure, in dialogue with the artistic season of the Carracci.

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.

Info and reservations

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.

Hours and venue

Exhibition hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm; Wednesday and Friday 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Venue: Museo Civico Medievale, Bologna

An opportunity to discover the spiritual and silent Bologna of Bartolomeo Cesi, through over thirty works that convey the inner strength and delicate sensibility of one of the most refined painters of the Bolognese school.

Your stay at the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni”

In the heart of Bologna, the Grand Hotel Majestic “già Baglioni” welcomes its guests in a palace of art and history, where elegance meets tradition. Inside the refined Ristorante I Carracci, a fresco attributed to Bartolomeo Cesi creates an ideal connection with the exhibition, offering the chance to experience up close the beauty of 17th-century Bolognese painting.