Sir Denis Mahon Prize 2026 for Young Scholars
International essay prize for students and young graduates under 35, offering €2,000 scholarship for art-historical research on 17th century and related fields.
The City of Cento announces the second edition of the Sir Denis Mahon International Essay Prize, a prestigious award for young scholars and students under 35 years of age. This initiative honors Sir Denis Mahon, the renowned English art historian and honorary citizen of Cento, maintaining the connection between the Emilian city and the British scholar's legacy.
The prize is administered through the Centro Studi Internazionale Il Guercino, an institution dedicated to advancing art-historical research in the hometown of the Baroque painter Guercino, a central figure in Mahon's scholarly interests. Originally established in 2010 by friends and collaborators of the art historian, the prize entered a new phase in 2025 when management transitioned from the Sir Denis Mahon Foundation in London to the Cento Study Center, ensuring continuity in promoting art-historical research focused on young scholars.
The award includes a €2,000 scholarship, made possible through support from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento. The scholarship will be awarded to the author of the essay judged most important for its quality and alignment with Mahon's scientific interests.
Research topics should primarily focus on the 17th century, with particular reference to Guercino, his school, and artists such as Annibale Carracci, Caravaggio, and Nicolas Poussin. However, the call welcomes contributions on 15th and 16th century art, as well as modern and contemporary artists, reflecting the breadth of Mahon's scholarly interests.