BIAF 2024

Robilant+Voena returns to Florence for BIAF – the 33rd Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze – with a selection of masterpieces across paintings, sculpture and furniture. Several of the pieces in our presentation have esteemed provenance, including princely collections, and the great palazzi of Rome and beyond.

One of the most remarkable paintings is an outstanding portrait by Andrea Appiani (1754–1817), one of his last great masterpieces, dating from 1813. This work, designated as a national treasure by the Italian Ministry of Culture, depicts the Napoleonic military commander and minister Achille Fontanelli, and was previously in the esteemed collections of Count Spalletti. Also formerly part of the collections of the Palazzo Spalletti Trivelli are two magnificent console tables, with intricate pietre dure tops.

Other highlights include a rare Renaissance painting by Antonello da Saliba (c. 1466–c. 1535), depicting Saint Sebastian, a striking late portrait by Matthias Stomer (1599/1600–after 1652), and a painting of the muse Euterpe by Baroque artist Giovanni Francesco Romanelli (1610–1662), that previously belonged in the distinguished Barberini Collection.

Representing the gallery's Post-War specialism, R+V will also show figurative ceramics by Lucio Fontana, epitomising his gestural sculptural practice that captures the energy of the Baroque combined with radical Spatialist principles. 

Also on view will be paintings by selected contemporary artists, entering into a dialogue with the Old Masters displayed alongside.