19 Dec “Piacenza e i suoi cavalli” exhibition is open
“Piacenza e i suoi cavalli” (Piacenza and Its Horses) is the Banca di Piacenza Christmas exhibition, dedicated this year to the genius of Francesco Mochi (Montevarchi, 29 July 1580 – Rome, 6 February 1654). He is the artist behind the monumental equestrian statues in Piazza Cavalli, created in honor of Ranuccio and Alessandro Farnese, unveiled 400 years ago (1625) and now a symbol of the city.
The official opening is scheduled for Saturday, 13 December 2025, and the exhibition will run until Sunday, 18 January 2026. Part of the Rete Cultura Piacenza program and held under the patronage of the City of Piacenza, the exhibition features scientific curation by Antonio Iommelli, Director of the Civic Museums of Palazzo Farnese.
The exhibition explains why the two equestrian monuments were commissioned in Piacenza and how the Tuscan sculptor was chosen. Mochi is also represented through the display of other important works. The project also aims to promote awareness of Baroque art and of Piacenza’s historical and artistic context in the 17th century.
Content goes beyond the display itself, offering multiple ways to engage with the exhibition. The installation design is by NEO (Narrative Environments Operas) of Milan. Conceived to bring Mochi’s monumental legacy back into focus, the exhibition uses an immersive, theatrical narrative to highlight the sculptor’s expressive power and the symbolic meaning of his work—offering visitors a visually and culturally compelling experience.