In the splendid setting of the Del Bianco Foundation Museum, the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco® – Life Beyond Tourism® has decided after more than twenty years of activity to exhibit in the rooms of the palace memories, objects, and books that it has received over time by way of donation.
What we find on display in the various rooms and corridors is a priceless treasure, not so much as regards the material preciousness of objects – although in many cases this is also the case – as because of the meaning they represent, and because all of them have been donated wholeheartedly, with respect and with gratitude by the hundreds of people, as well as public and private institutions with whom the Foundation has been establishing deep relationships throughout these years.
The extraordinary nature of the collection lies in the genuineness with which it has been donated. Indeed, this collection can be rightly considered unique and inestimable due to the fact that it stands out as a token of a humanity and an almost familiar authenticity that has no parallel in any other city collections.
It testifies how much and how the Foundation has been very active, with the people and institutions of more than 83 countries and universities, committing itself with the purpose of promoting Peace and Friendship through the promotion of Cross-Cultural Dialogue among Peoples, for a better World and the respect of each one’s own expression of Culture, Arts, Music and Usages and Customs.
All this is breathed in the rooms of the Foundation Museum, when observing its showcases with the hundreds of objects exhibited in them: lacquers from more than 5 different countries, variegated in their shapes and shiny surfaces; crystals of a thousand colours; shaped metals and woods; variegated porcelains and precious fabrics of skilfully worked silk and wool, all works that reflect and bear witness to the cultures of origin and all, without exclusion, expressing affection and profound humanity.
ARTISTIC HANDICRAFT
The extraordinary nature of the collection lies in the genuineness with which it has been donated and of the works themselves. It is an emblematic collection of the skills of authentic craftsmanship of their countries of origin and of their respective cultures, of which it is an expression. Indeed, this collection can be rightly considered unique and inestimable due to the fact that it stands out as a token of a humanity and an almost familiar authenticity that has no parallel in any other city collections that are deemed more prestigious and therefore by far more celebrated.
SCULPTURE
To welcome visitors who come into Palazzo Coppini there are twelve marble busts depicting different moods that, beyond their cultural differences, are common to ‘Human Family’ as a whole, to whom the activity of the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco® – Life Beyond Tourism® is ultimately addressed.
The busts were formerly exhibited in Moscow (2007) and in Saratov (2008), and are now part of the Foundation’s collection thanks to the deep and long-standing relationship with the sculptor.
MASKS OF THE NOH THEATRE
It is said that for an actor of the Noh Theatre, wearing an ancient mask made by a great master and brought before him by other famous actors of the Edo Period (1603-1868), is a magical experience that almost results in mysticism. The actor transforms himself by playing his part: he becomes himself part of the mask, and the mask enters him, guiding him in the movements and in the part he is performing at that moment.
ARCHITECTURE
The building of Renaissance origin was built as a patrician house of particular interest and fully respects the criteria of comfort, functionality and symmetry introduced by Leon Battista Alberti. Suffice it to mention the beautiful courtyard with open gallery, the main staircase leading to the main floor or an extraordinary spiral stone staircase.
THE LIBRARY
Since the beginning of the Foundation’s activity, all guests who stayed in Florence for a week, hosted for free in the hotel facilities, were asked to bring in exchange for the hospitability received a book from their city, or from their country, or written by them. This is why more than 6,000 books written in 11 different alphabets and many a language have been accumulating, on different topics that sometimes reflect the activity of professors, some other times on the most varied subjects, including a Divine Comedy in Chinese and a comprehensive book of Azeri recipes. For this reason, it was deemed very important to bring together all these “experiences” in an archive that would allow remembering people, the way they let us know their land and their traditions. This is not therefore a traditional library, as it is based on humanity, knowledge, and dialogue in a perfect match with the archive of the collections, which reflects the same principles with other types of objects.