Descrizione
The Art Gallery, housed in the ancient church of San Nicola, is a treasure trove. At its heart lies the Claudio Ridolfi Civic Art Collection, dedicated to the Venetian painter who made Corinaldo his source of inspiration.
His works, characterised by a style that combines the spirituality of the Counter-Reformation with the precursors of the Baroque, are complemented by works by other masters such as Ercole Ramazzani, Gaspare Gasparini and Domenico Peruzzini, whose masterpieces dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries enrich the exhibition. The collection also includes sacred and devotional objects from local churches.
Among the most remarkable works are exquisite 17th-century reliquary busts, probably crafted by a Sicilian woodcarver. Brought to Corinaldo by Fra Bartolomeo Orlandi, together with a parchment attesting to their authenticity, these busts bear witness to the deep bond between faith and art.
Another treasure housed in the Art Gallery is the Tomb of the Picene Prince, an archaeological discovery from 2018 that sheds light on the Picene civilisation of the 7th century BC, which also settled in this part of the region. A selection of twelve artefacts is on display, including a finely restored helmet, a greave and a chariot – symbols of military, political and economic power.
The implements for the funeral banquet, such as containers for food and drink, skewers and brazier stands, evoke the sacred ceremonies associated with the burial and the life of the deceased. Each artefact bears witness to the greatness of this historical figure and the rich symbolism of his era, offering a unique insight into life and death in antiquity.
