Ursino Castle Museum

The graphic production of Michele Rapisardi

In addition to the most important collection of paintings, sketches and drawings by the Catanese painter Michele Rapisardi, the Civic Museum of Ursino Castle in Catania also houses, as part of the Francesco Rapisardi Donation (1913), 18 albums of various sizes containing, in addition to period photos, letters and autograph notes useful for his biography, 847 drawings, most of which were executed in pencil. These include academic studies, copies of classical statuary and from the pictorial and sculptural production of the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, landscapes, studies of famous monuments, female nudes, portraits, self-portraits, caricatures and numerous preparatory drawings for sketches and paintings.

(Caterina Di Giacomo, La produzione grafica di Michele Rapisardi nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Castello Ursino)

«In truth, it is necessary that the canvas, though full of great virtues, represent something that has the power to shake the mind and heart of the viewer, and with the charm of beauty draw him to meditate on human events; it is necessary that the beautiful, the great, the sublime of art be coupled with the beautiful, the great, the sublime of the action represented. Then only the artist can become great.»

Michele Rapisardi

curiosities

The donation to the Municipality of Catania

"My lord Podest of the city of Catania. Seeing my last day approaching, I feel the need to let Your Worship know that I declare that I name as my successor for the custody of the Tribune of Michele and Giuseppe Rapisardi, donated by me to the city of Catania, Mr. Vincenzo Pappalardo. I await from the wisdom of Your Excellency the assurance of my thought with the life-long nomination of my favourite friend as honorary inspector for the Tribune that I wanted; and with the highest esteem I revere you".

This is what his brother, Francesco Rapisardi, wrote in the donation deed of the drawings and paintings to the Municipality of Catania.