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Milan’s new Museo del Novecento (Museum of the nine{teen}hundreds, i.e. twentieth century) is an architectural delight, full of contemporary paintings and sculptures from the 1900s. Opened in December of 2010, it is situated in the Palazzo dell’Arengario.
It is a modern wonderland of space and design and its large windows command phenomenal views over the Piazza del Duomo.
Lucio Fontana’s modern neon light installation and metal sculpture is an extraordinary juxtaposition against the historic backdrop of the Duomo.
The museum took almost a decade to renovate, but this lesser known stop was well worth the wait for when you’re next in Milan’s main square.
Thanks Jean, this is exactly the kind of museum I love – 20th century art – wonderful images. I shall have to go explore.
Maybe nice to know in addition:
in the Novecento Musuem you’ll find as well:
the famous Quarto Stato of Pellizza di Volpeda
the famous work of Boccioni: Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, (one of the ten or so casts that exist). See the back side of your Italian 20 eurocent coin if you don’t know it.
An audio-installation of Marzia Migliora introduces the visitor to 24 masterpieces of the collection. The new museum also houses a research library, cinema and a restaurant.
There is a nice video-impression of the museum on YouTube as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eYwk89CMLQ
Fascinating juxtaposition! Must take a look next time in Milan. Many thanks for the unexpected Note.
Have not visited Milan yet but hope to include it in next trip to Italy.
Dear Penny and Louise, thank you for your messages! Glad you enjoyed. It was a lovely surprise for me too. They did a wonderful job with the architectural design and of course the collection had various, beautiful paintings I have never seen from some very small museums I haven’t yet discovered. Worth the trip!
Dear Stef, thank you so much for the great notes. Yes the Boccioni sculpture is incredible. Futuristic art at its best. As for the restaurant, we could see it from an upper internal window in the museum, but as to the entrance – a mystery to be solved for next time! Dear WIlliam, I would definitely suggest this is a must if you visit Milan, especially for the views of the Duomo and the Piazza. An wonderful perspective of Milan!
Thanks for telling us about this new museum. It was probably covered in scaffolding the last time we were in Milan so probably walked past it. Will need to visit this time in September.