It’s quite a story. The Ferrara-born businessman and philanthropist Vittorio Cini was born in 1885, and learned building in his father’s construction company before setting off on his own. With interests in shipping, navigation, tourism, and more, he soon grew to become one of Italy’s richest men. In 1943, standing up against Fascism landed him in the Dachau concentration camp. His son Giorgio was able to get him out in 1944. Like many wealthy men, Cini was a patron of the arts and collected paintings by masters from the 14th to the 18th century—they adorned the walls of Palazzo Cini. In 1949, Giorgio died at 30 in an airplane accident. Two years later, in memory of his son, Cini created the Giorgio Cini Foundation and placed works by Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Filippo Lippi, and Piero di Cosimo in its care. On the occasion of the foundation’s 70th anniversary, the Hôtel de Caumont presents Tuscan and Venetian masterpieces from the collection, in dialogue with contemporary art by Ettore Spalletti and Vik Muniz. —E.C.

Treasures of Venice: The Cini Collection
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Hôtel de Caumont / Aix-en-Provence / Art
Hôtel de Caumont / Aix-en-Provence / Art
Cosmè Tura, “Saint Georges,” c. 1475–1480. Photo © Fondazione Giorgio Cini.
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