LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA.- The Narodna Gallery presents Masterworks From Sienna - from Gothic to Renaissance, on view through Ocotber 15, 2006. The exhibition, conceived within the framework of cultural exchanges between Italy and Slovenia attempts to introduce the fascinating history of the region of Siena through works of art – painting, sculpture, biccherne and illuminated codices. A vision of the past which still offers today's "citizens" and travellers crucial elements to ponder the chaos and disorder of the contemporary world.

The period from Gothic to Renaissance is mapped out by twenty-nine works of art lent by institutions in Siena: Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena, Museo Civico di Siena, Archivio di Stato di Siena, Museo dell'Opera della Metropolitana di Siena, Collezioni della Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Collezione Salini. This significant overview of the history of Sienese art is expanded and complemented by reproductions – photo enlargements, slide presentations and multimedia – which illustrate the relationship between the city and the landscape and thus introduce the subject of a symposium on the Cultural Landscape, which will take place in the City Museum of Ljubljana (Mestni muzej Ljubljana) on 14 September 2006.

Paintings and sculptures - The selection of works of art includes Pietro Lorenzetti, Nado Ceccarelli, Lucca di Tommè, Taddeo di Bartolo, Andrea di Bartolo, Bartolo di Fredi, Martino di Bartolommeo, Sano di Pietro, Sassetta, Giovanni di Paolo, Matteo di Givanni and Francesco di Giorgio Martini; a sculpture by Jacopo della Quercia; two biccherne from the Archivio di Stato di Siena representing The Victory at the Gate of Camollia of 1527 by Giovanni di Lorenzo Cini and The Siege of Montalchino, 1553, painted by Giorgio di Giovanni; the large City Plan of Siena, painted in 1609 by Rutilio Manetti; paintings by Cristofano Rustici dedicated to the seasons from the collection of the Museo Civico di Siena; and lastly two Views of Piazza dell Campo by Giuseppe Zocchi of 1739 from the collection of the Banca del Monte dei Paschi di Siena.