Exhibition graphics for the restoration of Antonio Canova’s Napoleon at the Brera Academy of Milan.
Front view of the sculpture
during the second phase
of the restoration work.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
during the second phase
of the restoration work.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
A preliminary graphics
for the banners.
2013 © Italo Lupi + Nicola-Matteo Munari
for the banners.
2013 © Italo Lupi + Nicola-Matteo Munari
The closed laboratory used
in the winter, during the
first phase of the restoration.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
in the winter, during the
first phase of the restoration.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
The courtyard of the Brera Academy is the house of a beautiful bronze statue portraying ‘Napoleon as Mars pacifier’ (1810)—an authentic copy of the original marble sculpture that the great Neoclassic artist Antonio Canova (1757–1822) made a few years earlier.
In 2013, on the occasion of the restoration work, Mario Bellini Architects designed two restoration laboratories—a closed one and an open one, to be used respectively in the winter and summer season.
Both laboratories were completed by a printed canvas cover, that was conceived to illustrate the restoration work and the history of the sculpture.
Erection of the statue for its
repositioning on the pedestal,
at the end of the first phase.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
repositioning on the pedestal,
at the end of the first phase.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
The graphics of the side
panels illustrated the
history of the sculpture and
the restoration process.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
panels illustrated the
history of the sculpture and
the restoration process.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
Ph. © Amici di Brera
Ph. © Amici di Brera
One of the four sides showing
a portrait of Antonio Canova.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
a portrait of Antonio Canova.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
The banners elegantly framed
the view on both the sculpture
and the courtyard of Brera.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
the view on both the sculpture
and the courtyard of Brera.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
The graphic design project included the canvas panels on the side of the laboratories and two banners positioned at the entrance of the courtyard, in order to frame the front view of the sculpture and focus the attention on the restoration.
Typography was set in Neoclassical typefaces—emphasising the cultural identity of the sculpture—while colours—warm grey, sage green and orange red—added elegance and liveliness to the communication.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
Ph. © Amici di Brera
The sculpture in its splendour,
after the restoration work.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
after the restoration work.
Ph. © Amici di Brera
Once cleared from scaffolding, the sculpture appeared in a new splendour, reinvigorated by the graphics that illustrated the meaning and the importance of the renovation work.
—Nicola-Matteo Munari
Client
Accademia di Brera
Graphic Design
Italo Lupi
Nicola-Matteo Munari
Exhibit Design
Giovanni Cappelletti
Mario Bellini
Project Date
2013
Accademia di Brera
Graphic Design
Italo Lupi
Nicola-Matteo Munari
Exhibit Design
Giovanni Cappelletti
Mario Bellini
Project Date
2013