Rothko Museum Receives Umberto Mastroianni’s “Kalevala” as a Gift to the Collection
The Rothko Museum has received “Kalevala”, a work by renowned Italian artist Umberto Mastroianni (1910–1998), as a donation to its permanent collection. The gift crowns the museum’s current exhibition, “Umberto Mastroianni. Chromatic Abstraction. 1934–1992”, ensuring that the artist’s legacy will remain part of Daugavpils’ cultural landscape long after the exhibition closes.
Created in 1985 using mixed media on cardboard, “Kalevala” was donated by the artist’s heir, Paola Moliengo Costa (Italy), a representative of The Centre for the Study of the Work of Umberto Mastroianni. The donation was formally marked at a ceremony on 5 November, attended by Andreina Marsella, Ambassador of Italy to Latvia; Lorenzo Zichichi, President of Il Cigno GG Edizioni, which co-organised the exhibition; and exhibition curator Victoria Noel Johnson. The occasion also saw the presentation of a substantial exhibition catalogue published by Il Cigno.
The acquisition marks a lasting achievement in cultural cooperation between Latvia and Italy. Beyond enriching the Rothko Museum’s collection, it creates new opportunities to study, interpret and exhibit Mastroianni’s work in the years ahead, extending the impact of the current exhibition well beyond its closing date.
“Umberto Mastroianni. Chromatic Abstraction. 1934–1992” introduces visitors to one of the most prominent Italian sculptors of the twentieth century. His artistic explorations ranged across a remarkable variety of materials, from bronze and paper to cardboard and textiles. Curators Victoria Noel Johnson and Farida Zaletilo have conceived the exhibition as a symbolic dialogue with Mark Rothko. Although the two artists pursued their ambitions through different forms and materials, both sought to move beyond figurative representation and explore the emotional power of abstraction.
Their artistic paths first crossed at the 29th Venice Biennale in 1958. Mastroianni received the International Grand Prize for Sculpture, while Rothko exhibited ten recent paintings in the United States Pavilion. Nearly seventy years later, their works meet again under one roof – this time in Rothko’s native Daugavpils.
The exhibition remains on view at the Rothko Museum until 29 November 2026, with support from the Embassy of Italy in Latvia, Daugavpils City Council and the State Culture Capital Foundation of Latvia.
Publicity images: Donation ceremony at the Rothko Museum (photographed by Santa Suhanova)
