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Tiziano and women, here are the two jokers that Milan has focused on to restart art. In fact, if it is true that in these two years of pandemic there has been no lack of cultural events (and some of the highest level), it is equally true that the numbers have remained far from those pre-Covid. As the new Culture Councilor Tommaso Sacchi told the Corriere: in 2019 the civic museums had one and a half million entries, in 2021 half a million; Palazzo Reale has gone from 870 thousand visitors in 2019 to 280 thousand in 2021. Welcome, therefore, to the most famous Venetian of the sixteenth century and his contemporaries, from 23 February at Palazzo Reale with a large exhibition co-produced by the Municipality of Milan with Skira publisher, in partnership with the Bracco Group. Forty-six paintings signed by Titian (about fifteen), Giorgione, Lotto, Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, Palma il Vecchio, Bordone, Licinio (a true parterre de rois), plus graphics, sculptures, objects and books, all focused on charm, unique and overbearing, of Venetian women of the sixteenth century. Females of rare culture and beauty, feminists ante litteram, among the few in Italy and Europe to boast rights over children, personal goods, social freedoms, the possibility of studying (the Venetian Elena Cornaro was the first graduate in the world). They could enter into contracts, manage businesses (as Marietta Barovier did with her glass company), and even courtesans (called "honest" when educated and salottiere, "enlightened" when they worked on the street) were respected. In this rich, open and intellectual society Tiziano Vecellio (Pieve di Cadore 1488/1490-Venice 1576), cultivates his art: first inspired by the works of Giorgione, creating works imbued with tonalism, in which color builds volumes and spaces perspective; then approaching Mannerism, that "beautiful way" thanks to which, according to Vasari, some great artists of the sixteenth century surpassed the masters of classical art; and ending with embracing a free, almost impressionistic painting. On display, noblewomen and "beautiful Venetians" parade, proud, eyes straight into those of the spectator, low-cut and colored dresses; "Heroines and saints", from Lucrezia to Mary Magdalene, from Giuditta to Salomè, who tell their stories of passion and ferocity; and again "poetesses", "couples" and "loves of the gods". The itinerary winds through nine sections with evocative titles, which alternate with paintings, sculptures and engravings. The latter a very precious catalog signed by Cesare Vecellio (cousin of Titian), in which you can admire women of all ranks, with typical clothes and studied poses.

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