The Cyprus Institute

The Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories (APAC Labs) / STARC of the Cyprus Institute and the Organisation Cultural Capital of Europe - Lemesos 2030 announce the opening of the highly anticipated exhibition “Unseen Gaze – The Hidden Portrait under Titian’s Ecce Homo.” The exhibition will be held at the Limassol Municipal Arts Center - Apothikes Papadaki, and will be open to the public from 24 January to 10 March 2025. The opening of the exhibition is scheduled on Friday, 24th January at 18:30 and will be addressed by the Mayor of Limassol, Mr Yiannis Armeftis, Chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Institute and Chairman of Medochemie, Dr. Andreas Pittas and the President of the Cyprus Institute, Prof. Stavros Malas.

 

“Unseen Gaze” presents the unique discovery and recreation of a lost painting by the great Renaissance master Titian. A hidden portrait buried beneath another Titian scene for centuries was revealed by APAC Labs researchers, and, in collaboration with artist and Dean of the Athens School of Fine Arts Erato Hadjisavva, is reimagined for today’s viewers. Science and art create a cyclical dialogue throughout the exhibition, mirroring the creative research methodologies of APAC Labs.

 

The Renaissance masterpiece and its hidden portrait, now uncovered by the use of advanced heritage science and technology, is showcased alongside the reimagined hidden painting, highlighting the integrated use of science and technology in uncovering centuries-old pictorial secrets, as well as informing artistic practices today. Advanced digital imaging, laboratory instruments and methodology descriptions will enable visitors to understand the relation of the two works and the analytical and painting processes behind this fascinating journey of discovery and recreation. The exhibit also features innovative analytical instrumentation developed by APAC Labs in collaboration with the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France (C2RMF).

 

Supplementary programs including guided tours, lectures, and student seminars organized in collaboration with the Department of Fine and Applied Arts of the Cyprus University of Technology will help to unlock the secrets of the science and technology methods that were used to re-discover, study and re-create Titian’s masterpiece. After its stay in Limassol, the exhibition featuring the exciting research results of APAC Labs/ STARC will travel to Greece and France.

 

The exhibition, also supported by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities and museologically curated by Elston Alphas, presents a unique opportunity for art and technology lovers, students, and the general public to experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Titian, bringing a masterpiece of Renaissance Art to Limassol as part of the activities of the Organisation Cultural Capital of Europe - Lemesos 2030. Bridging the disciplines of Science and Technology, Art History, and Art, Unseen Gaze promises to be an enriching experience for the audience, shedding new light on the masterful oeuvre of one of Italy's most iconic artists.