The artist will be exhibiting his works at the Oratory of San Carlo from May 19 to 31, in anticipation of the “Bego Back 2” project, which will feature him as the main artist at the Cappella della Visitazione starting in June.
An artist with a wealth of experiences: a tireless traveler, mountaineer, explorer, and archaeologist. These are just a few facets of the multifaceted personality of Nico Paladini, founder of the Metropolism movement, who will present his works at the Oratorio di San Carlo (Via Testaferrata) from May 19 to 31, as part of the “Bego Back2” project, which will feature him as the main artist at the Cappella della Visitazione starting in June.
The opening at the San Carlo is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at 6:00 p.m.
“La Genesi del Metropolismo” (the title of the exhibition) aims to trace the artistic journey of Nico Paladini, who, after graduating from the Art Institute of Siena and attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence (where his teachers at the time were Virginio Carmignani and Loris Fucini), undertook various professional ventures before turning to painting, which was followed by the development of that thematic and conceptual work that would lead—between the late 1980s and early 1990s—to the founding of the Metropolism painting movement. In addition to numerous solo and group exhibitions and art fairs, Nico Paladini has undertaken humanitarian trips to the war zones of Bosnia and the Libyan Sahara, which, along with other experiences, have served as a valuable source of inspiration.”
“My paintings,” the artist observed, “constitute a language through which to express not only inner aspects, but also—and above all—the outer world, that is, the events and social issues that resonate most deeply in today’s reality.”
Starting in June, Nico Paladini will transform the Chapel of the Visitation into a creative space for experimentation and dialogue between Renaissance art and contemporary languages, setting up a sort of “Atelier” within it that is open to the public.
“The exhibition at the Oratorio di San Carlo,” emphasizes Franco Spina, Councilor for Culture, “is a valuable opportunity to introduce our community to this extraordinary artist, the founder of Metropolism and one of the leading figures of the Transavantgarde, who has skillfully captured aspects and issues of the contemporary world, drawing in part from his personal experiences. An artist we will have the chance to get to know in depth thanks to the “BeGo Back2” project, which will kick off next month at the Cappella della Visitazione.”
The exhibition “Genesi del Metropolismo” will remain open until May 31 during the following hours: Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM–1:00 PM and 3:00 PM–7:00 PM. Special openings for In/Canti and Banchi: Friday, the 22nd, Saturday, the 23rd, and Sunday, the 24th, from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
It is an integral part of the “Be.Go.Back 2. Benozzo Gozzoli 1491–Nico Paladini 2026” project, sponsored by the Municipality of Castelfiorentino and the Fondazione Teatro del Popolo, with support from the Fondazione CR Firenze, in collaboration with the “Giglio Rosso” Association and the “Sveliamo La Marca” Association.
