The Benedictine community Benedicti Claustra Onlus and the Draiflessen Collection were presenting two new paintings by Luc Tuymans - one of the most important painters of his generation - in the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The works temporarily replaced the monumental Tintoretto paintings “The Last Supper” and “The Manna Miracle,” which were being restored with the support of Save Venice.

Tuymans' paintings, created especially for the presbytery, are inspired by personal travel impressions and everyday moments. With their unusual color palette, distorted perspectives and an atmosphere between dream and reality, they invited contemplative contemplation. Without a clear narrative thread, they reveal traces of the divine in the experience of the ordinary - a silent dialog between art, faith and the present.

Curated by Carmelo A. Grasso (Benedicti Claustra Onlus), Dr. Corinna Otto (Draiflessen Collection) and independent curator Ory Dessau, this project exemplified the ongoing commitment of the Benedictine monks of San Giorgio Maggiore, who have been creating new connections between sacred space and contemporary art for over a decade.

The presentation was accompanied by a contemporary illuminated manuscript, which was displayed on the Badalone, the monumental lectern in the main choir. It joined a growing collection of modern manuscripts initiated by the abbey in 2019.