The work of Art Nouveau master Galileo Chini comes to Bangkok
YANAPON MUSIKET
Among the number of art exhibitions currently burgeoning in different corners of Bangkok, the showcase of noted Italian artist Galileo Chini stands out for being the most complete collection by an Art Nouveau master. "This show is such a rare opportunity," says Neungreudee Lohapon, head of the Italian Language Department, at the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University, who is curating the exhibition of Galileo Chini at Central Chidlom.
With a doctorate degree in Italian art in Thailand, Neungreudee is known among Italian art history buffs, both in Thailand and internationally, for her dedication to the Italian artist who worked in Thailand over a century ago. But this show, she said, is the largest collection of Galileo Chini, with some pieces coming from the Italian government and others from private owners. Several of the works are being displayed in public for the first time ever here in Bangkok.
 |
| Paola Chini and the portrait of King Vajiravudh. |
The exhibition is claimed, by Neungreudee, to be the largest complete showcase of Chini's work ever staged, but there is another story she hopes to point out to visitors. "The highlight of this exhibition is the portrait of King Rama 1, which the artist's only granddaughter, Paola Chini, presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali during the opening ceremony," explains Neungreudee. "But this is not the first time Paola has expressed her kindness to our country."
Back in 1997, Neungreudee was invited to attend the academic conference for the auspicious occasion of 100th anniversary of King Chulalongkorn's first voyage to Italy (1987-1997) held here in Thailand. Paola Chini arrived in Thailand to attend the same conference with a portrait of King Vajiravudh as a present for the Thai people. And that was the first time Neungreudee met Paola Chini in person.
"I still remember how I felt when I first met her," recalls Neungreudee. "It was the same feeling when young kids meet their favourite movie stars.
"I questioned in my mind why this Italian woman was so generous and gave away her family treasure to others."
 |
 |
| The original blueprints of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. |
Once the conference and exhibition concluded, the precious portrait was properly positioned at the office of the president of Silpakorn University.
According to Neungreudee, Chini revealed that her first impression towards Thailand occurred when she first visited the country with her father. She realised how important her grandfather and his art was to Thailand and Thai people. And one thing led to another.
In 2002, Chini was invited to attend the photography exhibition at the National Gallery for which she also brought a private collection of photographs and postcards of Galileo Chini to exhibit at this show.
"Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously attended the exhibition and showed an interest in keeping a photocopy of Chini's collection," says Neungreudee. "I went to ask Paola's permission and her answer made me speechless.
"She asked me if these images are meaningful to Thai people and I said to her they are," Neungreudee explains with an upbeat tone. "Paola replied that she was willing to donate the entire collection to Thailand except for one picture."
A small image of her grandfather was the only photograph Paola kept for herself while the rest of collection - 300 photographs and postcards - are now safely maintained at the National Archives of Thailand. However, since her decision was quietly made after the exhibition, her kind act is not widely known to the public.
 |
 |
| Photographs and postcard of Galileo Chini. |
With her professionalism, Neungreudee was invited by the Italian government to be a guest speaker at a Galileo Chini seminar, held in Italy, in 2003. During her visit, Neungreudee also spent time with Chini, as they had become good friends.
One day Paola asked Neungreudee to go through some of the packages containing her grandfather's works and the two discovered nine of the original blueprints of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, for which he created the magnificent frescoes almost a century ago.
"She asked me if these blueprints might be beneficial to Thai people," said Neungreudee. "At that moment, I knew we were going to hear some good news again."
 |
| Neungreudee Lohapon. |
Neungreudee was asked by Paola to bring these blueprints back to Thailand, but she insisted that she would prefer to set up an event to announce such good news in order to reward her generosity.
"She deserves such honour," remarks Neungreudee.
Later in 2004, Paola Chini presented the entire collection of blueprints to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Chulalongkorn University, while the first public appearance of the blueprints occurred at the National Gallery, under the exhibition "Galileo Chini and the Colours of Asia".
"It is amazing what this woman has done," says Neungreudee. "Thai people are very lucky."
'The Galileo Chini Exhibition@Central Chidlom' runs until tomorrow at the event hall, Central Chidlom, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of Thai-Italian diplomatic relations. For more information, contact 02-793-7420 or 08-1381-6638. Admission is free.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
Next
