Master of the Beffi Triptych, The Madonna and Child with Scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin (The Beffi Triptych), early 15th century. Tempera on panel. Museo Nazionale d’Abruzzo, L’Aquila.
On February 6, 2010 the NMA will unveil a rare early 15th Century altarpiece – the Beffi Triptych, on loan to us from the National Museum of Abruzzo, about sixty miles northeast of Rome. The city of L’Aquila suffered a devastating earthquake on April 6, 2009, which killed over 300 people and left thousands homeless. In gratitude for the aid sent immediately by the United States, the Italian government has loaned the triptych to three museums in the U.S. -- The National Gallery, The Getty, and the Nevada Museum of Art. What an honor to be one of those three!
Master of the Beffi Triptych, The Madonna and Child with
Scenes from the Life of Christ and the Virgin (The Beffi Triptych),
early 15th century. Tempera on panel. Museo Nazionale
d’Abruzzo, L’Aquila.
The altarpiece consists of a main panel depicting the Virgin and Child, with side panels showing the Nativity and scenes from the life of the Virgin. It is a perfect example of Italian Gothic art, and is a rarity because all three panels are intact. So many of these fine altarpieces have been taken apart, and are housed separately in museums and private collections. The Beffi Triptych has also survived terrible earthquakes. In 1915, after a violent earthquake, it was removed from its original church in the small town of Beffi, and moved to the National Museum of Abruzzo, housed in a 16th Century fortress in nearby L’Aquila. That museum was terribly damaged in the 2009 earthquake. The altarpiece suffered only a few scratches, which have been repaired.
We will have the unique pleasure of viewing this triptych as it would have been seen by its parishioners in its original church, Santa Maria del Ponte. We can imagine how it must have been when the side panels were opened, and the people could see the stories familiar to them done in rich colors and gleaming gold. In the corner of one panel is the donor, with different colored leggings. We don’t know who that patron was, nor do we know the name of the artist, who is known simply as the Master of the Beffi Triptych.
What a wonderful development -- to have at the same time at our museum, examples of the very start of the Italian Renaissance, with this triptych, and of the very zenith of the High Renaissance, with Raphael’s La Velata!
News & Updates
ART + ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE Begins September 29th through October 1st. Be sure to register early or contact Rosalind for a volunteer’s view of this event.
Second Saturdays are Free. Thanks to the Nightingale Family Foundation, admission to the Museum is FREE every second Saturday throughout 2011.
First Thursday Enjoy a cool beverage 5 to 7 PM while listening to the Whitney Myer Band, August 4th and Max Yasgur’s Band, September 1st. Free valet parking for your bike, courtesy of Reno Bike Project. Admission $10/ Members FREE
Talk and Tasting: Tom Young, Jazz Aldrich, Ancient Egyptian Homebrew and Dr. Church’s Living Room Lager Enjoy an original brew and learn the process of recreating an authentic Egyptian beer in honor of Museum founder, James E. Church. Thursday, August 11th, 6 - 7 PM. $12/ $8 Members. Fee includes one beer, additional beer available for purchase.
Wander through the wilderness one last time. Don’t miss the imagery of Ansel Adams Distance and Detail. Exhibit ends August 14th.
Sunday Jazz Brunch 11 AM to 1 PM, welcomes Dickie Mills Group, Sunday, August 21st. On September 18th, enjoy the music of the Jackie Landrum Trio. Admission is FREE. A la carte brunch menu provided by Café Musée. Brunch menu $5-$15.
Join local bands, Very Pretty Pigeon and Memory Motel rooftop for an Indie Rock Night Thursday, August 18th. 6 - 7:30 PM. Admission is $3.
A Special Exhibition Art, Science and the Arc of Inquiry The Evolution of the Nevada Museum of Art, comprised of archival materials, including photographs, newspaper articles and artworks, from the Museum’s Collection and the University of Nevada, Reno Special Collections. August 27th-29th. FREE with admission fee.
Art Break Bring a friend and peek “behind the scenes” with fellow Museum volunteers Thursday, September 8th. Lecture begins at 5 PM followed by Museum tour.
The Altered Landscape: Photographs of a Changing Environment opens Saturday, September 24th commemorating the Museum’s 80th anniversary of the institution’s signature photography collection examining human interaction and intervention with the environment.
Museum Hours
GALLERY & STORE
Wednesday – Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM
Thursdays 10 AM to 8 PM
Closed Monday, Tuesday and National Holidays
LIBRARY
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM to 2 PM
1st Thursday 5 to 7 PM
CAFÉ MUSÉE
Wednesday – Sunday 11 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed Monday & Tuesday
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Tuesday – Friday 9AM - 5PM
Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in serving on the volunteer board? Have you always wanted to explore being a docent? We are currently looking for help in these areas as well as the Annual Arts and Flowers Luncheon, support for planning volunteer recognition events and administration work. For more information, please contact Rosalind Bedell at rosalind.bedell@nevadaart.org.