Franz Xaver Messerschmidt’s ‘character heads’ are among the most fascinating works of 18th-century European sculpture. They are extraordinary for the expressive power of the faces and for their striking modernity. The works housed at Palazzo Coronini are the only ‘character heads’ in Italy.

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Since 2016, the sculptures have been on display in a striking permanent exhibition on the ground floor of the Palazzo. The room also features an interactive touchscreen dedicated to the artist’s life and the meaning of the works, as well as tactile reproductions designed for people who are blind or partially sighted. The exhibition is completed by an elegant neoclassical medallion depicting a woman’s profile.

To mark GO! 2025 – European Capital of Culture, the Palazzo Coronini Cronberg Foundation has launched the project “Testa a testa con Messerschmidt”, which led to the installation, between Gorizia and Nova Gorica, of two large-scale reproductions of the famous works, created by the artist Serena Del Piccolo.

La riproduzione di Gorizia
La riproduzione di Nova Gorica

At the Palazzo’s bookshop, visitors can pick up the brochure dedicated to the “charismatic figures” and the illustrated comic “The Sculptor of Colours” by Armando “Miron” Polacco, as well as purchase merchandise inspired by Messerschmidt’s works.

The comic, together with a multilingual brochure providing an in-depth look at the artist and his work, was designed and coordinated by Diapaeson snc, which also produced the digital content.