Museo diocesano

History

The idea for the creation of a museum for the diocese of Brescia first developed in the 1970s. The initiative was taken up by Monsignor Angelo Pietrobelli who identified the greater cloister of Saint Joseph as a site sufficiently spacious and prestigious. The diocese's acquisition of the property was lengthy and complicated, and ultimately required special governmental legislation.

On December 23, 1978, the bishop of Brescia, Luigi Morstabilini, inaugurated a canonical religious foundation known as the "Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art".

On April 21, 1988, the bishop of Brescia, Bruno Foresti, substituted the old statute with a new one, to which, in addition to the collection and preservation of diocesan works of art that might be in danger of dispersion or ruin, he added initiatives of restoration as well as of cultural and educational outreach. Also, thanks to Bishop Foresti, the greater cloister of Saint Joseph was completely restored. The newer statute, revised by Bishop Giulio Sanguineti, was the basis for the civil recognition of the religious foundation.

From February 2010 the Diocesan Museum of Brescia has been recognized by the Italian state as a Fondazione di Religione e di Culto.

Works

The gallery contains about a hundred works from the diocese's territory, among which are paintings by Giovanni Battista Pittoni, Il Moretto, Romanino, Andrea Celesti, Giuseppe Tortelli, Pietro Avogadro, Francesco Savanni, Paolo Veneziano and Giambattista Tiepolo.

The Madonna with Child in glory with Saint John the Evangelist, Blessed Lorenzo Giustiniani and the allegory of Divine Wisdom

The Madonna with the child Jesus, Saint Leonard and Saint Francis da Paola, oil on canvas, first half of the 18th century

Transfiguration, sketch for the Transfiguration in the Church of Saint Angela Merici.

Francesco Zugno, Francesco Fontebasso, Battaglioli, Buratto, Maggiotto, Giuseppe Bazzani, Francesco Savanni

Various Ex votos from the church of Saint Mary of the Patrocinio, 18th century-19th century …