Massimiliano Finazzer Flory will present the screening of his docufilm Il Mecenate (The Patron, 2024, 37 min., in Italian with English subtitles) at the Italian Cultural Institute of Miami.
The work highlights Galeazzo Arconati, a prominent 17th-century aristocrat from Milan whose life was defined by his dedication to art patronage. A great collector of ancient Roman artworks and an enthusiast of theater, Arconati deeply believed that true wealth was cultural and it should be shared. For this reason, and as an act of generosity to make culture accessible to the most, he donated the famous Codex Atlanticus by Leonardo da Vinci, along with other Leonardian manuscripts to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana—founded by Federico Borromeo as the first library “for public use”.
Galeazzo is also remembered for the project of Villa Arconati, which extends over about 12 hectares on the outskirts of Milan. Known as “the little Versailles of Milan,” the villa is a place where to get lost and breathe art and culture in every corner, among frescoes, sculptures, and mosaics. Over the centuries, the estate has been visited by illustrious guests such as Carlo Goldoni, the celebrated Venetian playwright who was guest of the Arconati family; the sculptor Antonio Canova; and writers Stendhal and Alessandro Manzoni.
At the end of the screening, a conversation will follow with author and director Massimiliano Finazzer Flory on the topic of art patronage, the legacy of Leonardo, and the present-day Villa Arconati, which still boasts a park considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.
Massimiliano Finazzer Flory, theater and film director and actor, plays a particularly active role in promoting Italian culture in international contexts. He has received several honors, including the Ambrogino d’Oro, the Premio Cenacolo, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He has also served as Councilor for Culture of the City of Milan and as a Board Member of the Fondazione Piccolo Teatro di Milano – Teatro d’Europa.
Free admission until capacity is reached. For information and reservations: iicmiami.segreteria@esteri.it