Biodiversità Ritratta (Biodiversity Portrayed), the Nabokov exhibition at Museo Civico di Zoologia, Oct 15 to Nov 15, 2026

«Biodiversità Ritratta» (“Biodiversity Portrayed”) is the exhibition curated by Francesco Sacco and inspired by a poem by Vladimir Nabokov. It is hosted by the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18, Rome, from October 15 to November 15, 2026, Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with last entry one hour before closing. The official source points to the museum's ticket page without giving a price.

Updated October 26, 2026.

Official presentation of Biodiversità Ritratta

Progetto espositivo a cura di Francesco Sacco ispirato ad una poesia di Vladimir Nabokov.

Text from the official Cultura Roma Capitale page (service translation: “Exhibition project curated by Francesco Sacco, inspired by a poem by Vladimir Nabokov.”), source

The Nabokov poem behind the exhibition

Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian-born writer who became an American citizen, is remembered as one of the great storytellers of the twentieth century and for the novel «Lolita». He was also an entomologist and studied the taxonomy of butterflies and moths all his life. Between 1942 and 1948 he was curator of the lepidoptera collections at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University.

The poem that inspires the exhibition was written on the occasion of the discovery of a new butterfly species, Neonympha dorothea. It celebrates the scientific immortality of a specimen marked by the red label that identifies it as the Type.

What the path includes

The path opens with three educational panels, on the red labels, on Linnaean nomenclature and on the richness of species on the planet. Next come the specimens with the red label, shown in a display case in an entomological box, and sixteen high-definition entomological photographs, 100 by 70 centimeters, taken by the author. The captions give the scientific name, place of capture, holding institution, photographic technique and magnification, and sit next to copies of the original descriptions.

In the large central display case are copies of the literary works of Nabokov published in Italian and two important volumes on his entomological work. The exhibition comes with the film «Il dèmone di Vladimir Nabokov» (“The Demon of Vladimir Nabokov”), with readings by Fabio Traversa and filming and editing by Jan Stöckel.

Where the Nabokov exhibition takes place: Museo Civico di Zoologia

The Museo Civico di Zoologia is at Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18, in the Pinciano neighborhood of Rome. Information on hours and tickets is on the museum's official website.

Visitors to the area can combine other cultural stops, for example the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, the Museo Carlo Bilotti or the Galleria Borghese.

Practical information for the Nabokov exhibition

• Period: October 15 to November 15, 2026
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., last entry one hour before closing
• Where: Museo Civico di Zoologia, Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18, Rome
• Tickets: see the Tickets page on the museum website
• Information: phone 060608
• Official website: museocivicodizoologia.it

Frequently asked questions about the Nabokov exhibition

Who curates «Biodiversità Ritratta», the Nabokov exhibition?

Francesco Sacco. The sixteen entomological photographs on display were taken by the author of the project.

What inspires the title of the Nabokov exhibition?

A poem by Vladimir Nabokov about the discovery of a new butterfly species and the red label that marks the Type specimen.

What does the exhibition include?

Three educational panels, the specimens with the red label in an entomological box, sixteen photographs, copies of Nabokov's works in Italian and two volumes on his work as an entomologist.

When is the museum open during the exhibition?

Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The last entry is one hour before closing.

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