Italian art exhibitions explore the myth of Narcissus

Various art exhibitions across Italy are exploring the myth of Narcissus and themes of identity.

In Potenza, the Provincial Archaeological Museum is hosting four collateral exhibitions alongside the main show ‘Caravaggio. Narciso. Il mito di un capolavoro’ until November 30. These installations, selected by a technical commission, include contemporary dialogues with Caravaggio, traditional Lucanian costumes, sculpture, and large-scale photography. The commission sought works that maintained thematic and conceptual coherence with the central Narcissus myth.

In Pompeii, artist Nello Petrucci has installed a white resin sculpture titled ‘Narciso’ at Habita79. The work uses a mirrored surface to prompt viewers to reflect on contemporary obsessions with image and visibility.

Additionally, the Mangano Galleria d’Arte in Cremona is presenting a solo exhibition by Luigi Mastrangelo titled ‘Io sono Narciso,’ running from October 17, 2026, to January 23, 2027. The exhibition features historical paintings and rare works that address the fluidity of identity and the crisis of anthropocentrism.