Italian Drawings on the Far East

Exhibition of drawings by Italian artists dedicated to the great explorer Marco Polo on the 700th anniversary of his death, curated by Angela Tecce, from May 8 to July 31, 2025 at the China Academy of Art, Hangzhou.

Through a refined selection of works on paper by 44 artists, Le Divisament dou Monde brings together a series of drawings by Italian artists—from established masters to the most interesting and acclaimed emerging talents—in a journey that explores the visual, cultural, and symbolic influence of the Far East on contemporary Italian art.

The choice of such a specific medium—drawing—is also inspired by China’s profound tradition and sensitivity toward drawing and calligraphy, an attention that neither technological advancements nor the relative openness toward more Western visual forms have managed to diminish. Drawing and works on paper continue to hold a status of the highest importance, and even in their most recent variations and experimentations, they remain a mirror of contemporary Chinese culture.

Some of the works were created specifically for this project, conceived as a tribute to the spirit of exploration, observation, and knowledge that drove Marco Polo’s journey.

The exhibition is organized by the Fondazione Garuzzo, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Embassy of Italy in Beijing, the Italian Cultural Institute in Beijing, and the Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai. In collaboration with ICCF – Italy China Council Foundation and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China. With the contribution of FlyRen Energy Group.

Image: Flavio Favelli, Blue Willow, 2025, Courtesy Francesca Minini Gallery