Il cielo in terra. San Francesco e Bologna tra Cinque e Seicento (Heaven on Earth. Saint Francis and Bologna between the 16th and 17th Centuries)

The exhibition Heaven on Earth. Saint Francis and Bologna between the 16th and 17th Centuries, on view from October 2, 2026, to January 10, 2027 in the Salone degli Incamminati, marks the launch of a new initiative by the National Gallery of Bologna. Conceived and promoted by Director Luigi Gallo together with the museum's curatorial staff, the project focuses on enhancing the museum's collections through exhibitions, gallery redisplays and new visitor itineraries. Works on display and those usually kept in storage will be presented alongside important loans from Italian and international museums, creating new exhibition paths throughout the Museums of Bologna.

Organised to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi and extending into the permanent galleries of the museum, Heaven on Earth. Saint Francis and Bologna between the 16th and 17th Centuries brings together works from the collections of the Museums of Bologna with significant loans from other Italian museums, inaugurating this new programme dedicated to the enhancement of the collections. Curated by Director Luigi Gallo and art historian Elena Rossoni, the exhibition explores the evolution of the iconography of Saint Francis during the 16th and 17th centuries through masterpieces by leading artists of the Bolognese school, including Francesco Francia, the Carracci, Guido Reni, Francesco Albani and Guercino.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors can also enjoy a programme of lectures, guided tours, educational activities and musical events.

The exhibition has been organised in collaboration with Officina San Francesco Bologna. It originated from a project launched during the interim directorship of Costantino D'Orazio and is held under the patronage of the National Committee for the Celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Death of Saint Francis of Assisi.