Essere Cappiello: An Exhibition in Florence Celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Accademia Cappiello
On June 30, 2026, the Cappiello Academy will open its doors to the public with an exhibition that traces seven decades of creative development
Seventy years of history, creativity, and education told through an exhibition that transforms classrooms into a living museum. Through June 30, the Accademia Cappiello in Florence celebrates its anniversary with *Essere Cappiello: Image, Memory, and Visual Education*, an exhibition project that traces the history of the Florentine institution and the artistic legacy of Leonetto Cappiello, one of the most important innovators in modern advertising graphics.
Sponsored by the Hdemy Group and organized in collaboration with LCICA – Leonetto Cappiello International Centre for Arts and the Athena Art Gallery, the exhibition is supported by the Region of Tuscany, the City of Florence, the City of Livorno, and ADI Toscana. Curated by Eleonora Sassoli, Simone Nannipieri, and Stefano Mingaia, the exhibition offers a reflection on the relationship between memory, visual communication, and contemporary education.
A Museum Within the Accademia
More than a celebratory retrospective, *Essere Cappiello* presents itself as an immersive journey that traces the continuous evolution of the image and visual design. The spaces of the Accademia become a place of dialogue between past and present, where original works, historical documents, and vintage posters coexist with over a hundred pieces created by students over the years.
The goal is to show how the visual research pioneered by Leonetto Cappiello continues to influence the language of contemporary communication today. The immediacy of the mark, the power of the image, the construction of brand identity, and the ability to synthesize are, in fact, themes that run through both the work of the Livorno-born master and the work of new generations of designers and communicators.
Mostra Essere Cappiello (ph. Deep Blue Studio)Who Was Leonetto Cappiello, the Father of Modern Advertising
Born in Livorno in 1875 and primarily active in Paris, Leonetto Cappiello is considered one of the pioneers of modern advertising design. His iconic images revolutionized 20th-century commercial posters, introducing a direct, memorable, and highly recognizable visual language.
The exhibition in Florence offers a chance to rediscover his work through materials from the Nannipieri Bernardeschi Collection: among the pieces on display are the artist’s self-portrait, his autographed business card, lithographs for the satirical magazine “L’Assiette au Beurre,” the famous “Le Corset Le Furet,” advertising posters, historical catalogs, and documents attesting to the artist’s critical acclaim throughout the 20th century.
The exhibition itinerary: from the Academy’s history to contemporary branding
The exhibition spans multiple levels and takes visitors on a journey through the history of the school and visual communication.
On the ground floor, a documentary section recounts the founding of the Accademia Cappiello, established in 1956 by Gastone Canessa, and its evolution within the landscape of Italian art and design education. Videos and archival materials capture the atmosphere of classes and educational activities from the 1980s and 1990s.
On the first floor, the dialogue with Leonetto Cappiello takes shape through four thematic sections:
The genesis and the creative mark
The myth and the power of the icon
Branding and brand identity
Memory and critical acclaim
A journey that highlights the relevance of Cappiello’s visual thinking and its influence on contemporary image culture.
La Sede Accademia Cappiello, Firenze (ph. Deep Blue Studio)Over a hundred projects exploring the future of creativity
Alongside historical works, the exhibition features over a hundred pieces created by the Academy’s students: projects in graphic design, exhibition design, communication, and interior design that demonstrate the vitality of contemporary design.
The works on display also include projects dedicated to the “Myth of Dante,” developed by Exhibition Design students to mark the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s death and presented during Milan Design Week 2021. An ideal dialogue with the section dedicated to the construction of icons and myths in visual communication.
Accademia Cappiello
Viale Michelangelo 19, Firenze
Data: Fino al 30 giugno 2026
Orario: 14.00 -18.00
Chiusa: sabato e domenica
Ingresso Libero