The second edition of the International Festival dedicated to watercolor kicks off in September, with a rich program of events, exhibitions and numerous collateral initiatives. After the great success of last year, the most famous national and international watercolor painters will return to the city who will paint en plein air in the historic center of Monza and will hold real lessons for enthusiasts who will be able to discover the most innovative techniques.

Two novelties for the second edition: an international contest of 120 works , exhibited in the Civic Gallery, by artists from all over the world who will be judged by a technical jury and by the public. The second novelty is the collaboration with the CNR which will conduct a scientific experiment on the reaction of colors to light. The Civic Museums will exhibit works by Mosè Bianchi and Pompeo Mariani illuminated with the lights of the time in which they were painted and with those of today. This will allow visitors to understand how the colors of the works change as the light sources vary.

The exhibitions of national and international artists will be held from 11 to 27 September at the Arengario, the Civic Gallery and the Civic Museums, while from 11 to 13 September at the Silverware of the Reggia di Monza.

Monza in Acquarello hosts a study in collaboration between the International Academy of Watercolor, the University of Milan Bicocca, the Department of Medicine and Surgery and the Department of Psychology; State University of Milan, Ophthalmology Clinic of the Sacco Musei Civici Hospital and CNR to try to evaluate the effect of different light sources on famous watercolors.

The survey will take place at the Civic Museums for the duration of the event (via Teodolinda, 4 - basement floor). Participation is free, voluntary and simply requires the completion of an anonymous questionnaire. You will be able to admire works by famous watercolor painters of the past such as Pompeo Mariani and Mosè Bianchi: a unique opportunity.