Exhibition
Special Exhibition
― Botticelli: La Bella Simonetta ―
March 18 to May 24, 2025
In collaboration with the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo’s annual Spring Festival and the concurrent Expo 2025, Marubeni Gallery holds a special exhibition displaying the only tempera painting by Botticelli in Japan, which is held by Marubeni Corporation. The model of this painting, Simonetta Cattaneo Vespucci, was a beautiful woman who died young yet was immortalized in the masterpieces La Primavera and The Birth of Venus. She was indeed a symbol of the “spring of Florence” and the “spring of the Renaissance”.
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Yashiro Yukio, a world-renowned researcher of Botticelli. The Museum Yamato Bunkakan in Nara is holding The Memorial Exhibition of the 50th Anniversary of Yashiro Yukio’s Death almost simultaneously. It is also the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tsuji Kunio, the author of the novel Haru no Taikan (The Coronation in Spring), in which Simonetta appears. The spring special exhibition is held in kindred spirit with these memorial events.
We sincerely hope that as many people as possible will take this opportunity to closely view and appreciate La Bella Simonetta.
The Marubeni Gallery offers an audio guide through a service called VOXX.
This service is available for use via personal mobile devices. Wearing headphones is recommended when using this service so as not to disturb other patrons. For details on how to use VOXX, please see the instructional display inside the gallery.
All proceeds from admission fees will be donated to the Marubeni Foundation.
Future Exhibits (Tentative Title/Details):
Splendor and Sophistication: Kimono Masterpieces with Yuzen Dyeing in the Marubeni Collection
(August 5 to September 25, 2025)
Access
3F Marubeni Tokyo Head Office 4-2, Otemachi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
2-minutes walk from Takebashi Station Exit 3b (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
6-minutes walk from Otemachi Station Exit C2b (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)
7-minutes walk from Jimbocho Station Exit A9 (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Toei Shinjuku Line & Mita Line)
*Please note that the gallery does not have parking facilities. Please use nearby paid parking lots or use public transport.