The Barbella Art Museum, housed in the 17th-century Palazzo Martinetti in the historic center of Chieti, was established in the 1970s thanks to generous donations from contemporary artists and works coming from churches and convents in Chieti.
The collection is divided into 5 sections: paintings from the 15th to the 19th century, Barbella’s sculptures, drawings on paper, paintings from the Michetti prize, and Castelli majolica.
The first part of the itinerary, dedicated to painting, displays frescoes from the destroyed church of St. Dominic in Chieti, some 15th-century panels, a large group of canvases from the Neapolitan school (17th-18th century), and 19th-century paintings, including works by Abruzzese artists Cascella and Michetti.
The second section exhibits sculptures by Costantino Barbella from Chieti: sketches and terracottas representing the agropastoral world, and some bronzes, including the funerary sculpture “Death”.
The third section preserves works on paper from the 18th-19th centuries; it ranges from stage design sketches by the Bibiena family to watercolors depicting typical costumes of the Abruzzese people.
The fourth section displays on rotation works from the Michetti National Painting Prize of Francavilla al Mare (CH) and the Paglione donation, dedicated to contemporary art.
The last room contains the majolica collection of Professor Paparella-Treccia, dedicated to the leading figures of Castelli ceramic production.
Information about the Costantino Barbella Art Museum
Via Cesare De Lollis, 10
66100 Chieti (Chieti)
0871330873
museo.barbella@provincia.chieti.it
https://www.provincia.chieti.it
tuesday and thursday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm; wednesday, friday and saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm; first sunday of every month 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free admission
Source: MIBACT
