"THE TREASURE OF SAN MARCO"

The design concept was based on the fact that the same items were to be transported to several different exhibition locations.
The solution adopted was to create a display consisting of a series of ‘containers’ which would be identical each time they were set up. Thus a special case was designed in the form of a glass pyramid, supported by four columns. The lighting was of primary importance: while the source of the light itself was concealed, the value and rarity of the item on show was so carefully highlighted that the glass almost became imperceptible.
The overall effect was to create an atmosphere of penumbra round the unique character of each strikingly highlighted object and at the same time provide all-round close visibility.
The exhibition was inaugurated at the Grand Palais, Paris, before going on to the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, Cologne, the British Museum, London, the Metropolitan Museum, New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, New York, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Palazzo del Quirinale, Rome, the Palazzo Reale, Milan and the palazzo Ducale, Venice.
 

Architect
Mario Bellini Architects
 
Design Team
Mario Bellini  with Giovanna Bonfanti

Project Team
Giovanna Bonfanti, Dario Bellini

Consultants
Graphic design: 
Roberto Pieraccini
Photo:    
Mario Carrieri