Michael Yamashita. Journeys to the East | Florence, 1 December 2026 – 12 April 2027

At Villa Bardini, 90 photographs tell the story of Asia, following in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Zheng He

From the ancient routes of the Silk Road to the most captivating landscapes of the Far East, photography becomes a way to travel through history and discover distant cultures. From 1 December 2026 to 12 April 2027, Villa Bardini in Florence hosts Michael Yamashita. Journeys to the East, a major retrospective dedicated to one of National Geographic’s most acclaimed photographers. Promoted by Fondazione CR Firenze and Gallerie d’Italia of Intesa Sanpaolo, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society, the exhibition is curated by Marco Cattaneo, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Italia. The exhibition brings together 90 photographs, many of which are being presented in Italy for the first time, alongside some of Yamashita’s iconic images. Over more than forty years of work, Yamashita has documented Asia’s historical, cultural and environmental transformations, building a bridge between East and West through his photography.

The journey unfolds along two main lines: geography and time. On the one hand, the photographs follow Marco Polo’s footsteps along the Silk Road, from Venice to Beijing, and retrace the maritime expeditions of Chinese admiral Zheng He. China and Japan occupy a central place in the narrative, which also extends to Afghanistan and Southeast Asia. In addition, two photographs depicting Venice and New York broaden the journey, connecting historic routes with the photographer’s personal perspective. On the other hand, Yamashita brings ancient traditions, spirituality and historic architecture into dialogue with the rapid transformation of contemporary societies. The result is a visual narrative that intertwines nature and culture, always attentive to the people and communities he encounters. Finally, a documentary film of approximately ten minutes takes visitors behind the scenes of Yamashita’s photojournalistic assignments, revealing his working methods, the patience required to capture the perfect shot and the relationships he builds with local communities.