THE MUSEUM
At the hub of 20th century art history
A dialogue with contemporary art
The Museo del Novecento, located inside the Palazzo dell’Arengario in Piazza del Duomo, hosts a collection of over four thousand works that catalyze the development of 20th century Italian art.
The Museo del Novecento was established on 6 December 2010 with the goal of spreading knowledge of 20th century art and offering a more comprehensive insight into the collections that the city of Milan has inherited over time. Beside its core exhibition activity, the Museum is active in the conservation, investigation and promotion of 20th century Italian cultural and artistic heritage with the final aim of reaching an ever wider audience.
With an eye toward the city, the Museo del Novecento develops around multiple locations. The Permanent Collection follows a chronological path where collective exhibitions alternate with solo art shows. The grand spiral staircase inside the building welcomes visitors. The Neon by Lucio Fontana represents a final embrace to the city.
The bookshop and the restaurant are the Museum’s meeting places.
Reflecting Milan’s feverish cultural dynamism, the Permanent Collection is essentially the story of several private collections that have been brought together thanks to the generosity and passion for art of many private collectors. Since its inception, the collection has been augmented by major gifts from artists, collectors and philanthropists who play an active role in the growth of the Museum’s heritage, which today reflects the rich trajectory of art from the early 20th century through the present.
THE ARCHITECTURE
An outstanding example of architecture and, today, an impressive installation communicating directly with the city, since 2010 the Palazzo dell’Arengario has accommodated the Museo del Novecento. This landmark building, designed by Griffini, Magistretti, Muzio, and Portaluppi, was renovated by the Rota Group to host a richly layered collection of 20th century Italian art.
The transformation of the Palazzo dell’Arengario was dictated by the need to organize the composition of Milan’s Civiche Raccolte d’Arte (Municipal Art Collections) around two distinct poles. While the historic premises of Villa Reale were meant to host collections dating from the 19th century, the Palazzo dell’Arengario was singled out for the exhibits of 20th century artwork. The latter was particularly meaningful for the harmony existing between its architecture and the collection it was meant to display.
This project enabled to best exploit the interior premises, while turning the building into one of the major cultural places in Milan. The grand spiral staircase inside the building is probably the most impressive architectural feature of the Museum: a functional element that connects several levels, from the subway up to the panoramic terrace overlooking the Duomo.
WHO WE ARE
Comune di Milano
Mayor
Giuseppe Sala
Councillor for Culture
Tommaso Sacchi
Head of Culture
Marco Edoardo Minoja
Head Office culture strategic support
Caterina Concone
Press Office
Elena Conenna
Area Musei d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
Director
Gianfranco Maraniello
General Management
Simonetta Andolfo
Sponsorship and Acquisitions
Stefania Audenino
Administration
Elisabetta Ciccarelli
Adriana Ferrante
Andrea Manti
Rosa Pisani
Technical Office and Maintenance
Tiziano Barbieri
Emanuele Beda
Anna Maria Falcone
Communication
Rossella Molaschi
Secretariat
Maria Elena Pizzi
Safekeeping
Ufficio Comando Custodi
Museo del Novecento
Director
Gianfranco Maraniello
Chief Curator
Iolanda Ratti
Curator
Valentina Plebani
Loans Office, Iconographic Archives and Library
Chiara Ceccutti
Maria Grazia Conti
Margherita Scirpa
Dionigi Tresoldi
Gabriella Zampino
Educational
Maria Elena Santomauro
Civilian Service
Sara Borghero
Arianna Campanelli