The Donadoni Family, originally from Bergamo, has long since died out in the city, although it represented an important point of reference for over three centuries in the political and economic power of the town. The most representative figure of the caste was Geronimo Donadoni, who lived in the first half of the 17th century, whose relationship with the Dorias was so strong that he often acted as vice-governor in their absence.
The city museum houses three important exhibitions:
1. The so-called Araneo Collection. With a holographic will dated March 1952 and published on March 14, 1958, General Giulio Araneo donated to the Municipality of Melfi a collection of paintings and various objects he owned.
The Collection consists of 24 works of various types, chronologically ranging from the 16th to the 19th century.
The paintings were restored in 1985 by the Superintendency for Artistic and Historical Heritage of Matera.
2. The works of the sculptor Poppa. A Melfi artist who, as he himself declared, “my works are made from within, made by the heart’s machine; they are emotions, sensations; they are hours, lived years that stop time with the chisel.”
3. Two rock frescoes cataloged as: “The Three Saints” and “The Holy Family” dating back to the 1600s and found in caves in the Vulture area. The works demonstrate that even in the 17th century, unmistakable artistic and architectural activities were present in the Vulture area, the ultimate expressions of monasticism that reached its peak and splendor in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Information about Donadoni Civic Museum Palace
Vico Rispoli
85025 Melfi (Potenza)
097225111
ass.cultura@comune.it
https://www.comune.melfi.pz.it
Source: MIBACT
