EXHIBITION | Giovanni da Nola, Annunciation

Giovanni da Nola’s Annunciation: A Rediscovered Renaissance Masterpiece in New York

New York, NY — From February 4 to February 14, 2026, the Italian Cultural Institute in New York will present Giovanni da Nola, Annunciation. A Rediscovered Masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, an international cultural project celebrating the restoration and contemporary reinterpretation of an extraordinary sixteenth-century sculptural work.

The exhibition centers on two polychrome wooden sculptures depicting the Annunciation, created by the renowned Neapolitan sculptor Giovanni da Nola (c. 1488–1558). Long housed in the abandoned Church of the Santissima Annunziata in Buccino (Salerno), the sculptures were recently recovered and meticulously restored. They are now permanently displayed at the National Archaeological Museum “Marcello Gigante” in Buccino, marking a significant achievement in the preservation of Italy’s artistic heritage.

Rather than presenting the fragile originals, the New York exhibition reimagines Giovanni da Nola’s Annunciation through artistic installations, immersive projections, and Virtual Reality experiences inspired by the sculptures and their restoration. Digital reconstructions and multimedia storytelling invite visitors to engage with the work’s spiritual intensity and refined craftsmanship, merging Renaissance aesthetics with contemporary creative and technological innovation.

An inaugural event on February 4 will feature a panel discussion with experts in art history, conservation, and digital heritage, examining the project’s journey from restoration to digital reconstruction and exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping the preservation and communication of cultural heritage.

Among the speakers, Professor Elizabeth F. Defeis, founder of Friends for Preservation of Cultural and Artistic Heritage of Italy and principal supporter of the restoration, will discuss the organization’s mission and its role in fostering international collaboration. Antonio Amendola, Project Manager of the restoration initiative, will address the project’s technical and methodological aspects, while Ivan Giovanni Allevi, CEO of Allix Srl and CTO of Travel Verse Srl, will present the role of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence in expanding global access to cultural heritage.

By combining historical research, contemporary artistic interpretation, and immersive technology, the exhibition offers a compelling rediscovery of Giovanni da Nola’s artistic genius, bridging Renaissance creativity and modern innovation.

Biographies:

Prof. Elizabeth F. Defeis

Professor of law and distinguished legal scholar, Elizabeth F. Defeis has had a long international career in human rights, rule of law, and constitutional development. She served as Dean of Seton Hall Law School and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. She is also Advisor to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations. In addition to her academic and legal work, she is founder of Friends for Preservation of Cultural and Artistic Heritage of Italy, the nonprofit that funded the Annunciazione restoration project.

Ing. Antonio Amendola

Antonio Amendola is Project Manager of the Giovanni da Nola restoration initiative and Product Manager at Senior Srl, an Italian technology company working in IoT, VR, and AI. With a background in aerospace/aeronautical engineering and over 20 years of experience, he has served as a speaker and consultant on innovation and tourism projects internationally. He has co-founded and led several startups and served as advisor on business models, project management, and technology strategy.

Ing. Ivan Giovanni Allevi

Ivan Giovanni Allevi brings more than 25 years of experience in IT and digital innovation. He is CEO of Allix Srl and co-founder/CTO of Travel Verse Srl, where he leads development of VR and AI applications for cultural and tourism sectors. His work spans platforms in sensor systems, IoT, and immersive technologies. Under his guidance, the Annunciazione exhibition’s digital reconstruction and interactive experiences were developed, showcasing how advanced technologies can enhance cultural heritage engagement.