The carpet by Maria Geroe-Tobler, displayed in the atelier of Casa Rossa in 1962, bears witness to Hermann Hesse’s appreciation for the artist’s work. © Hermann Hesse-Editionsarchiv, Offenbach am Main
Talk
Saturday 19 September 2026 · 16.30 · Ex panetteria Artebianca, Via Berenice 2, Gentilino ♿
From the age of thirteen, Hesse felt a strong calling to become a writer. Yet his path toward artistic and professional fulfilment proved far from linear. During his years in Montagnola, he passionately supported young creatives – particularly women artists such as Margherita Toppi and Emmy Hennings-Ball – encouraging them to remain resilient and perseverant in their creative journeys.
Building on this legacy, the event gives voice to two contemporary women artists who share their paths shaped by achievements and setbacks, compromises and breakthroughs. Through readings of Hesse’s texts, the dialogue brings together two very different eras, revealing how the challenges of artistic practice and the strength of vocation transcend time and remain, at their core, strikingly similar.
The event continues with an aperitif and the presentation of the work by Giulia Santambrogio, created within the framework of Hesse Artist in Residence. The evening concludes with the opportunity to purchase original artworks by the artists – a tangible way to directly support their work, without intermediaries.
The names of the participating artists will be announced later on the website.
In italian
Entrance fee: «Pay What You Want» principle