Città di Castello, located in Umbria, is the birthplace of the famous Italian artist Alberto Burri and is home to the Foundation dedicated to him. During my many weekends in Florence, I often take the opportunity to take a trip out of town to Città di Castello, considering it a must-visit destination for lovers of modern Italian art.The Burri Foundation is a unique place in the world where it is possible to admire the artist’s work in all its phases, from his first rare works in 1949 to the late 1980s. The Foundation’s headquarters is located in Palazzo Albizzini, an ancient palace that once belonged to the family that commissioned Raphael’s famous painting of the Wedding of the Virgin, now on display at the Brera Art Gallery. The palace was opened in 1989 and houses Burri’s most celebrated series, with a layout personally curated by the artist. Here you can admire works such as the "Sacchi," the "Combustioni," the "Plastiche," the "Cretti" (including the sketches for the Cretto of Gibellina and the large black Cretto of Capodimonte), the "Cellotex" and the "Ferri," which are among my favorites. In addition, there are lesser-known but equally valuable works, such as sketches for theater sets and the study for the Teatro Continuo at Parco Sempione in Milan.After concluding my visit to the Foundation, I leave the historic center and head to the suburbs, where the Ex Seccatoi del Tabacco are located. This is an example of successful recovery of an industrial architecture that Burri personally wanted and cared for. Where tobacco was once dried, now over a hundred large-scale works made between 1970 and 1993 strike the visitor with their expressive power. Before leaving, I make a stop in the museum section that contains all of the artist’s graphic work and admire the three enormous sculptural works that inhabit the garden, creating an almost sacred atmosphere of great fascination.A visit to the Fondazione Burri and the Ex Seccatoi del Tabacco is always a unique and evocative experience, enriching my love of modern Italian art and giving me a deeper perspective on the work of Alberto Burri.
