by VS
In a ceremony attended by Culture Commissioner Giorgio Rossi, the exhibition “Towards the Sea: Dino Predonzani and the Last Transatlantics” opened at Warehouse 26 in Porto Vivo – Porto Vecchio, Trieste, this afternoon (December 19). The exhibition, featuring sketches and designs by artist Dino Predonzani for iconic transatlantic liners from the 1940s to the 1960s, will run until February 25, 2024.
Rossi praised Predonzani’s contribution to the interiors of these transatlantic liners, emphasizing their unique and wonderful design. The exhibition showcases over 500 drawings and sketches, revealing Predonzani’s versatility beyond naval decor.
Predonzani collaborated with architect Gustavo Pulitzer Finali post-WWII, revolutionizing ship interiors. The exhibition focuses on Predonzani’s work on six ships: Esperia (1949), Conte Biancamano (1949), Australia (1951), Homeric (1955), Leonardo da Vinci (1960), and Guglielmo Marconi (1963).
The exhibition, organized by the City of Trieste’s Tourism Promotion, Museums, Cultural Events, and Sports Service, explores the evolution of maritime design. It is housed in the Museo del Mare, born in 1904 as the Museum of Fishing and later expanded to cover maritime history.
The museum, located in Warehouse 26, features sections on Trieste’s 19th-century port, maritime economy, shipbuilding innovations, and the Lloyd Navigation Company’s legacy. Predonzani’s work for the Galileo Galilei (1963) is highlighted in a dedicated section.
The museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with early closures on December 24 and 31 at 2:00 pm and special hours on December 26 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm). Admission is free.
Dino Predonzani (1914–1994) was a versatile artist, from surrealism to abstraction. Post-WWII, he became a notable naval decorator, collaborating with architects like Pulitzer Finali. The exhibition includes 538 drawings donated by Predonzani’s niece, offering insight into his work from the late 1940s to the mid-1960s.
Associated events include a lecture on naval art by naval historian Maurizio Eliseo on January 18, 2024, and the presentation of a Museo del Mare volume on Predonzani’s naval decoration on January 25. A guided tour by curator Francesca Nodari is scheduled for January 13, followed by tours on February 3 and 17 led by curators Silvia Pinna and Andrea Bonifacio, respectively. All events are free, with a maximum of 25 participants per guided tour.
