Digital Editions
Newsletters
Subscribe
Digital Editions
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Diary
blog

We could weep—Francesco Vezzoli to unveil teary masterpieces in Venice

Museo Correr will be filled with works embroidered by the Italian maverick

The Art Newspaper
4 March 2024
Share
Francesco Vezzoli, Selfie Sebastian (Self-portrait as Saint Sebastian by Andrea Mantegna), 2009-14

courtesy the artist and APALAZZOGALLERY

Francesco Vezzoli, Selfie Sebastian (Self-portrait as Saint Sebastian by Andrea Mantegna), 2009-14

courtesy the artist and APALAZZOGALLERY

It’ll all end in tears for the Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli in Venice this spring. The maverick Italian artist is unveiling a series of works at the venerated Museo Correr in La Serenissima—adorned with tears (Museums of Tears, 17 April-24 November). “Nearly 30 years ago, the artist began embroidering tears onto images of masterpieces, thereby creating his own museum,” says a statement. Some of the teary works, shown in dialogue with classical pieces from the Museo Correr collection, are historic, others are new creations. Donatien Grau, head of contemporary programmes at the Louvre, has curated this collection of lachrymose pieces. Vezzoli says in a statement: “After some extensive research, I realised that you can find all kinds of activities and expressions of feelings [throughout art history], apart from the act of crying. Tears are remarkably absent from the visual universe of art, they are a sign of weakness, which we do not want the public image of art to be. Art can be intimate, like my gesture of embroidery, it can change our lives.” Mischief-maker Vezzoli is known for his star-studded 2005 film, Trailer for the Remake of Gore Vidal’s Caligula.

DiaryMuseo CorrerVenice Venice Biennale
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Instagram
Bluesky
LinkedIn
Facebook
TikTok
YouTube
© The Art Newspaper

Related content

Diaryblog
4 March 2024

Praise Be—Damien Hirst is building a chapel in France

The holy installation at Château La Coste comprises a huge bronze hand pointing to the heavens

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
27 January 2023

How Ugo Rondinone turned Roger Federer into a secret flying sculpture (spoiler: includes underwear)

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
24 April 2023

Damien Hirst’s humongous headless demon dominates the skyline on London's Greenwich Peninsula

The gargantuan piece, which looks up to the Thames cable car, is part of Hirst’s Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable series

The Art Newspaper
Diaryblog
5 April 2024

The show to see in Venice with your bosom buddy

Exhibition 'celebrates the iconography and symbolism of breasts', with works by Cindy Sherman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Marcel Duchamp and Laure Prouvost

The Art Newspaper