Art – Archaeology

Italy boasts an inestimable artistic and archaeological heritage and the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, along with China.

Italy’s artistic and archaeological heritage is an essential part of the country’s national identity. Over the years, it has also contributed meaningfully to the construction of a European and Western cultural identity. Today, it enables a thriving cross-cultural dialogue, given the countless tourists Italy attracts and the country’s ability to spark creativity and innovation.

For these reasons, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation promotes Italian art as an integral part of its cultural diplomacy, also through its superb modern and contemporary art collection (“Collezione Farnesina”). Likewise, the Embassy of Italy has selected Art and Archaeology as one of the main themes within the 160 years celebration of diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States.

Italy’s artistic and archaeological heritage is an asset that has shaped the country’s relations with the United States. In past centuries, American artists, musicians and poets ventured to the Italian peninsula on “Grand Tours” in search of their roots, connecting to the traces of an ancient past, that had a great bearing on their lives and on the forms of artistic expression they were so keenly exploring. Similarly, particularly as of the XX century, Italian artists have felt compelled to study the breadth and depth of American art. Today, there is a lively artistic dialogue between our countries that feeds our cultural relations and the understanding between our people.

Italy’s artistic and archaeological treasures are inestimable, yet such assets require protection. Italy and the United States have an enduring relationship in protecting cultural heritage and in combating cultural property trafficking around the world, also within the framework of the U.S.-Italian Memorandum of Understanding on the protection of cultural heritage.

The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Culture Institutes in the United States work daily to promote collaborations between our countries in the artistic and archaeological fields, in partnership with the main cultural institutions in Italy and the United States.

Also the Residence of the Italian Ambassador in the United States through the series “Artists in Residence at Villa Firenze” has become an exceptional space for artists and designer to explore the new frontiers of contemporary artistic research through the creation of site-specific exhibitions and installations.

Within the 160^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States, the Embassy of Italy is pleased to celebrate ties between our countries in the artistic and archaeological field through a series of exhibitions, in collaboration with Italian and American museums, ranging from Roman art to contemporary art.

For more information on the cultural programs of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and its diplomatic, consular and cultural network world-wide, please visit the website “Italiana”.