The International Painting Competition
The Association Centro Commerciale Naturale ViviCastelnuovo, with the contribution of Toscana Promozione Turistica, under the patronage of Confcommercio Pisa and the Municipality of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, and under the artistic direction of Vieri Panerai, organizes the first edition of Imago in Villa, an international painting competition based on the trompe l’oeil technique.
The competition will take place from July 20th to August 20th, 2024, within the medieval village of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina (Pisa – Italy), where artists from all over the world can showcase their talent by creating their own works to compete for the final prize: an apartment in the historic village, a unique and fascinating setting in the heart of Tuscany.
Along a path winding through the ancient streets of the village, 16 buildings have been selected, whose exterior walls will become painting stations for the contestants.
A jury composed of experts will select the participants and determine the winner of the competition.
Trompe L'oeil
The term “trompe l’oeil” is a French expression that means “deceive the eye.” It refers to an artistic technique that seeks to deceive the viewer by making a three-dimensional object appear real and tangible, even though it is painted on a two-dimensional surface, such as a wall or canvas.
This technique is often used to create optical illusions, giving the impression that the painted objects are real and protruding from the surface on which they are painted. Artists who use this technique can paint objects so realistically that they appear almost physically present.
Trompe l’oeil has been used in various historical periods and in different cultures, and it is a fascinating form of artistic expression that challenges the visual perception of viewers.
The Prize
The prize for the winner of Imago in Villa, determined by the technical jury, is an apartment in the historic village of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina, a unique and charming setting in the heart of Tuscany.
Additionally, there is a prize from the popular jury, based on preferences expressed by the public through social media and web channels, which consists of a weekend stay at accommodation facilities affiliated with CCN ViviCastelnuovo.
The jury
The artists participating in the competition will be selected based on sketches submitted in advance to the Imago in Villa staff. The selection process will be carried out by a specially appointed commission.
A jury composed of experts will convene on September 8, 2024, to determine the winner of the competition.
How to Participate
Artists from all around the world, both individually and in groups, are welcome to participate in the competition.
The theme of the competition is open, with the only condition being that the painting technique used must be trompe l’oeil.
- Read or download the complete regulations
- Visit the 'Spots' section of the website to indicate your preference
- Send us a registration request
The deadline for registration is April 30, 2024.
Participants are required to submit a sketch of their artwork no later than May 15, 2024.
For more details regarding the documentation to be sent, please refer to the complete regulations.
Costs and conditions
- Registration for the competition is free of charge.
- Participants are responsible for all expenses related to materials needed for creating sketches and finishing panels.
- Participants must make their own arrangements to reach Castelnuovo Val di Cecina.
- During the event period, from July 20th to August 20th, 2024, each artist can participate freely without time constraints.
- The sketches submitted and the artworks created will remain in the full ownership of the CCN ViviCastelnuovo Association.
Centro Commerciale Naturale ViviCastelnuovo
CCN ViviCastelnuovo is an association of commercial businesses that, with the support of Toscana Promozione Turistica and under the patronage of the Municipality of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina and Confcommercio province of Pisa, work synergistically to implement a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the historical village and more generally the territory of Castelnuovo Val di Cecina.
