Rimani contributed to the lighting design for the exhibition “The Face of Women – 80 Years of the Republic: Stories of Ingenuity, from Great Artists to the Founding Mothers”, hosted in the Sala Maccari at Palazzo Madama in Rome.
Promoted by the Senate of the Italian Republic and the Ministry of Culture, and organized by the National Museums of Perugia—Regional Directorate for National Museums in Umbria—the exhibition is part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic. The display brought together 13 works by 9 female artists—on loan from major Italian national museums—alongside portraits and documents dedicated to the 21 “Founding Mothers” (Madri Costituenti) who were elected to the Constituent Assembly on June 2, 1946.
The lighting design helps to highlight the exhibition’s central theme: the evolution of women’s presence in society—from carving out a space in the art world to actively participating in political life and the birth of the Republic.
Concept and Objectives
The lighting concept was developed with the goal of supporting the exhibition’s narrative and guiding visitors along the display path, highlighting the details and colors of individual elements while seamlessly integrating the new lighting into the existing scheme of the Sala Maccari.
Light thus plays a fundamental role in establishing clear visual hierarchies: through focused, high-color-quality illumination, the artworks stand out from their surroundings, drawing the visitor’s attention without disrupting the overall balance of the space.
The primary objective of the project is to showcase the exhibited works while ensuring accurate color perception, visual comfort, and the preservation of the pieces. The lighting reveals colors, materials, and details, all while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the hall’s pre-existing lighting.
To meet the specific requirements of the exhibition, the design employs controlled, directional lighting with a color temperature of 3000K, high color rendering, and an intensity of approximately 150 lux—a level determined by the need to preserve the artworks. Furthermore, special attention has been paid to eliminating glare, ensuring maximum visual comfort for visitors.
