Italian art exhibitions explore regional folklore and female portraiture

Two new art exhibitions are opening in Italy, focusing on regional folklore and the evolution of female portraiture.

In the Langhe and Roero regions, the exhibition ‘J’é ‘r masche. Misteri e memorie tra Langhe e Roero’ will be hosted at Palazzo Banca d’Alba from October 23 to November 29, 2026. The project explores local traditions, superstitions, and the oral histories of ‘masche’—mysterious figures from rural folklore. The exhibition examines the intersection of the human and natural worlds through stories of spells, transformations, and community beliefs.

In Conegliano, Palazzo Sarcinelli will host ‘Ritratti di donna. Tra Hayez, Boldini e Carrà,’ running until April 4. The exhibition features over 70 paintings from the Belle Époque to the 1950s, showcasing works by artists such as Hayez, Boldini, and Picasso. The collection traces the social and iconographic metamorphosis of women through various roles, including workers, mothers, and literary figures. A notable highlight of the exhibition is the display of a cloak belonging to Queen Margherita of Savoy alongside her portrait.