HCM CITY — An exclusive exhibition of 27 digital reproductions of masterpieces by Renaissance artist Raffaello Sanzio, better known as Raphael, opened on August 25 at the HCM City Exhibition Centre.

The Raffaello: Opera Omina exhibition is organised by the Consulate General of Italy in HCM City and the Museum of HCM City, in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and RAI – Italian State TV.

All exhibits are in high-definition and the same size as the artist’s original paintings, many of which can be seen in museums in Italy, France, Spain and the UK.

Italian Consul General Carlotta Colli, speaking at the opening ceremony, said: “This is a special chance for Vietnamese and foreigners to view beautiful paintings of Raphael at once in HCM City.”  

Trần Cẩm Tiên, a senior student at HCM City College of Health, said the exhibition was “amazing”.

“I can really imagine how beautiful the real paintings are. The exhibition is a special opportunity for me and other Vietnamese to enjoy masterpieces of Italian Renaissance painter Raffaello. I hope the consulate brings more wonderful exhibitions to HCM City, like one on Leonardo da Vinci,” she said.

The exhibition is part of the “Opera Omnia” project developed by RaiCom, a commercial branch of RAI. It is being shown around the world by the ministry.

Italian visual experts have used digital technologies to recreate paintings of extremely high-definition and true-to-scale reproductions of masterpieces by three prominent Renaissance artists: Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, and Raffaello.

RaiCom has organised more than 30 exhibitions on the three painters in Italy and abroad.

The Raffaello: Opera Omina was held in Hà Nội in June. The free event in HCM City is open daily at 92 Lê Thánh Tôn Street in District 1 until September 20. — VNS