The Barbella Art Museum, housed in the seventeenth-century Palazzo Martinetti in the historic center of Chieti, was established in the 1970s thanks to generous donations from contemporary artists and works 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 award, and Castelli majolica.
In the first part of the route, dedicated to painting, frescoes from the destroyed church of St. Domenico in Chieti are exhibited, some 15th century panels, a large group of Neapolitan canvases (17th-18th century), and 19th century paintings, including works by the Abruzzese artists Cascella and Michetti.
The second section exhibits sculptures by the artist from Chieti, Costantino Barbella: sketches and terracottas representing the agro-pastoral world, and some bronzes, including the funerary sculpture “Death”.
The third section houses works on paper from the 18th-19th centuries; it ranges from the scenic sketches of the Bibiena family to watercolors depicting the typical costumes of the Abruzzese people.
The fourth section displays rotating works from the Michetti National Painting Prize of Francavilla a Mare (CH) and the Paglione donation, dedicated to contemporary art.
The final room contains the collection of majolica by Prof. Paparella-Treccia, dedicated to the major representatives of ceramic production in Castelli.
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; every first Sunday of the month 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Free admission
Source: MIBACT
