Room 2: The Triennial Competitions

In 1839, Director Francesco Nenci established the Triennial Competitions, with the most prestigious category dedicated to the creation of a painting with a historical, literary, or religious theme. The theme was announced a year in advance, allowing students ample time for in-depth and original preparation. A commission of Masters from various cities judged the paintings, with a win marking the pinnacle of the students' academic journey and their first public acknowledgment of artistic talent. In this room and the next, visitors can view the winning paintings from 1839 to 1894.