Name of Object:

Nosocomium [Latin: Hospital]

Name in original language:

Nosocomio

Location:

Rome, Italy

Holding Institution:

National Gallery of Modern Art (GNAM)

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Holding Institution (original language):

Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM)

Date of Object:

1895

Author:

Silvio Rotta (1853, Venice-1913, Venice)

Inventory Number:

inv. 1084

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

200 x 300 cm

Provenance:

Italy

Description:

Silvio Rotta was introduced to painting by his father and, in his early years, produced mainly watercolours, genre compositions inspired by Venetian popular customs. In 1887, after an illness, the production of the artist underwent a radical change ad began to show social realism through the depiction of the insane. Nosocomium represents a psychiatric hospital where poor and sick were hosted and nursed. The scale of the canvas is accentuated by the diagonal of the benches and the path. The painting won awards at the 1895 Biennale of Venice and is now recognised as one of the most important works by Rotta. The scene’s realism offers a merciless analysis and public complaint about the patients’ living conditions. Caring of poor and sick was an important issue during the 19th century and a law to control hospitals and mental institution was discussed in those years.

Additional Copyright Information:

Copyright image: Soprintendenza alla Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea.

Citation of this web page:

Marina Minozzi "Nosocomium [Latin: Hospital]" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;it;165;en

Prepared by: Marina Minozzi
Copyedited by: Anne Dowell

MWNF Working Number: IT2 023