Luminis Orae
International event dedicated to contemporary watercolour painting
Villa Falconieri, Frascati (Rome)
5–7 June 2026
(The event is free of charge throughout)
We look forward to seeing you there!
Luminis ORAE alludes to the threshold of light: that delicate point where what was still indistinct
is reborn into the visible and the image begins to emerge before the eye. It is that primal moment when
form is not yet fully established and yet has already begun to appear, as if the
world, crossing a luminous threshold, were being reborn in perception. In this sense,
light does not simply illuminate what exists: it generates it anew for the eye, making
the image an act of revelation and rebirth.
For three days, Villa Falconieri, one of the most evocative historic villas in the Castelli Romani and home to
Vivarium Novum, the International Academy of Watercolour and the Museo delle Scuderie
Aldobrandini, will become a meeting place for artists from all over the world, scholars,
enthusiasts and the curious
The event features exhibitions, live demonstrations, workshops, meetings with artists and
outdoor painting activities, offering the public the opportunity to get a close-up look at the work of some of the most
important contemporary watercolour artists.
International Exhibition
Museo delle Scuderie Aldobrandini — Frascati 5 – 28 June 2026
The heart of the event is the international exhibition Luminis Orae, hosted in the spaces of the Museo delle Scuderie Aldobrandini.
The exhibition brings together over 200 works by the most important watercolourists from the leading currents of international Watercolour, offering a glimpse into the diverse research and sensibilities that characterise contemporary watercolour today. The exhibition will remain open to the public until 28 June 2026.
Live demonstrations by the artists
During the days of the event, the artists present at the exhibition will give live painting DEMOS.
Sala dell’Omaggio a Venere — Villa Falconieri
The demonstrations will be held in person and projected on screen, allowing the public to closely observe the artist’s creative process and the birth of the work on paper.
Meetings and workshops with the artists
In the gardens of Villa Falconieri there will be moments of meeting and dialogue with the artists:
- meetings and conversations about watercolour
- painting workshops led by guest artists
- moments of reflection on contemporary research in watercolour.
Plein air activities
The historic park of the Villa will become an open-air painting space with various activities dedicated to drawing and watercolour:
- sunset painting
- urban sketching sessions
- meetings dedicated to the carnet de voyage.
Watercolour Estemporanea
Sunday 7 June a large open-to-the-public watercolour estemporanea will be held. Artists and visitors will be able to register and participate (registration and participation free of charge), creating a work during the day and presenting it to the jury composed of some of the artists present at the event. The winning work will receive a prize in professional watercolour materials.
Related exhibitions in the Municipality of Frascati
During the days of the event, several related exhibitions will also be on view, hosted in the spaces of the Frascati Municipal Palace.
Trame di luce Sala degli Specchi — Exhibition dedicated to emerging watercolour artists.
International Watercolor Academy Award 2026 Sala del Consiglio Comunale — Exhibition of the works of the three winners and ten mentioned artists of the international prize promoted by the International Watercolour Academy.
Piccoli Mondi Sala degli Specchi — Exhibition-competition dedicated to the mini format: watercolours of 5 × 8 cm. The works will be voted on directly by visitors and the popular jury will determine the winning work.
Click here for more infoFinal Ceremony
Villa Falconieri — Sunday 7 June, 6:30 PM
The event will conclude with a public ceremony accompanied by a concert.
During the evening the following will be awarded:
- the prize of the Piccoli Mondi exhibition
- the prize of the Watercolour Estemporanea
- the first prize of the International Watercolor Academy Award 2026
The winner of the International Watercolor Academy Award will hold an international exhibition with the Academy in 2027.
The detailed programme, including timetables, participating artists, demonstrations and activities, will be published in May 2026.
It is available at the bottom of the page as a downloadable PDF (click the download button).
All events are free of charge A shuttle service will operate throughout the event, connecting Villa Falconieri with the Aldobrandini Stables Museum.
Visitors will receive a free bag containing the exhibition catalogue and the
programme upon entry (while stocks last)
A small market dedicated to watercolour supplies will be set up at the entrance to Villa Falconieri, featuring some of the best brands of paints, papers and brushes.
A bar and catering service will also be available during the event, allowing visitors to
spend the whole day enjoying the activities, exhibitions and meetings with the artists.
A shuttle service will run between Villa Falconieri, the Museo delle Scuderie Aldobrandini and the centre of Frascati
n.b: Demo di Politis, mattina del venerdì (subirà variazione di orario); La maratona degli Urban Sketchers si terrà domenica pomeriggio.
Please note: Politis demo, Friday morning (subject to change); the Urban Sketchers marathon will take place on Sunday afternoon.
