Gipsoteca Antonio Canova
Carlo Scarpa · Possagno, Italy · 1957
Carlo Scarpa’s intervention at the Gipsoteca Antonio Canova in Possagno transformed the museum into one of the most atmospheric exhibition spaces in Italy. Working within the museum dedicated to sculptor Antonio Canova, Scarpa designed a new extension and carefully integrated circulation routes, skylighting, and display systems that enhance the experience of viewing the plaster casts. Natural light enters the galleries through precisely shaped roof openings and clerestories, creating changing shadows that emphasize the sculptural qualities of the artworks throughout the day. Scarpa used exposed concrete, wood, stone, and glass in a restrained yet highly crafted manner, ensuring that the architecture supports rather than competes with the sculptures. The project reflects his belief that museum design should create an intimate dialogue between visitor, object, and space. Today the Gipsoteca remains one of Scarpa’s most admired museum projects and a landmark in the history of exhibition architecture.