Sylvain Bellenger

The origins of the Royal Palace of Capodimonte lie with the Bourbon King Charles, who ordered its construction in 1738. The main nucleus of the museum is the Farnese art collection, which includes extraordinary masterpieces by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Titian, Carracci, Parmigianino, and El Greco. When churches in Naples and Southern Italy were closed, they left an inheritance of precious work by artists such as Simone Martini, Colantonio and Caravaggio. Museum highlights are: a gallery of drawings and prints; the Farnese gallery; the Borgia collection; a gallery of porcelain; the famous Salottino di Porcellana; the Galleria delle Arti a Napoli dal Duecento al Settecento; the d'Avalos collection and a tapestry room. The sections devoted to 19th-century and contemporary art are of major importance, with chefs d'oeuvre by internationally famous artists including Andy Warhol, Alberto Burri, Joseph Kosuth, Enzo Cucchi and Michelangelo Pistoletto. The museum's leadership actively pursues constant public enjoyment of the collections through an intense programme of expositional activities.

Heritage

An award to museums/collections open to the public and dedicated, all or in part, to excellent works of craftsmanship.