Istituto Centrale per la Grafica

Although a prestigious institution, the Istituto Centrale per la Grafica is certainly less well-known to the general public than the prestigious great Roman museums, it is nevertheless an archive of extraordinary beauty that blends in with the palaces, Palazzo della Calcografie and Palazzo Poli, that house it.

Its art collections (25,000 drawings, more than 100,000 prints and 17,000 photographs), print shop, technical library and restoration workshops make its rooms an extraordinary journey through the history of our country and its culture. In order to make itself known to a wider public, especially young people, in addition to the scholars and insiders who already frequent it, the Museum has developed a new project to intercept more current interests and sensibilities. The driving project is the ‘Video-Art’ art competition that will select, through a secret commission of experts, four works per year for two consecutive years, works designed to animate and dress up the side facades of the Institute's two buildings. In addition, two degree prizes will be awarded for theses related to the Institute's wide-ranging subjects, and short promotional videos will be produced on the Institute's heritage and activities. Finally, a publication (printed and digital) dedicated to the ICG's valuable and little-known collection of graphics and contemporary art will be printed.

Says Maura Picciau, Director of the ICG, ‘The Istituto Centrale per la Grafica is a special and mysterious place in the heart of Rome, hidden as it is behind the Trevi Fountain, behind the famous and luminous façade of Palazzo Poli. In the silence of our rooms, however, are kept masterpieces of Italian drawing and engraving from many centuries. The entire history of Italian graphics, from Botticelli to the present day, is represented. In addition, an intaglio print shop of great tradition is still active. All this makes us proud, and there is a great desire to make our heritage known to as wide a public as possible, to share its beauty.’