Palazzo Citterio

Palazzo Citterio opens its doors to the public on December 8, 2024, marking the realization of an ambitious project more than half a century long. Located in the heart of Milan, between Via Brera 12 and 14, this elegant 18th-century palace becomes the centerpiece of the “Grande Brera,” a unique museum reality capable of combining tradition and modernity.

Acquired by the state in 1972 thanks to the vision of Franco Russoli, then director of the Brera Art Gallery, Palazzo Citterio was conceived as the place where 20th-century art finally found its consecration alongside Brera’s historic masterpieces. After years of restoration and architectural interventions, culminating in the innovative project by architect Mario Cucinella, the palace now presents itself as a vital and dynamic space for culture, art and experimentation.

With its entrances at 12 and 14 Via Brera, Palazzo Citterio presents itself as an open and welcoming place. The entrance hall, characterized by a contemporary design, welcomes visitors with a multifunctional table-sculpture that integrates ticketing, information and bookshop. In the inner courtyard, the “Tempietto,” a circular wooden structure, serves as a connecting point between the Palazzo and the Botanical Garden, offering a space for pause and reflection inspired by the Renaissance.

Jesi and Vitali Collections

On the main floor, the exhibition itinerary celebrates the prestigious Jesi and Vitali collections, the core of the palace’s new identity. With more than 200 works, the museum offers an extraordinary journey through the 20th century, with masterpieces by Italian and international artists such as Boccioni, Morandi, Modigliani, Picasso and Carrà.

The Jesi collection, donated to the Pinacoteca between 1976 and 1990, reflects the love of art of collectors Emilio and Maria Jesi, who lived in the same building. The Vitali collection, on the other hand, chronicles the encyclopedic passion of Lamberto Vitali, whose legacy ranges from archaeology to modern art

The exhibition itinerary opens in the majestic Room 40, a symbolic link between 19th-century tradition and 20th-century innovation. Iconic works such as Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo’s “Fiumana” and masterpieces by Previati and Boldini stand out here. This is followed by thematic rooms that respect the original arrangement of the donors, immersing the visitor in the variety and depth of the historical avant-garde.
The exhibition space was designed to enhance the works through studied lighting and custom-made display cases, creating a harmonious dialogue between modernity and history.
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Temporary exhibitions and cultural initiatives

Palazzo Citterio is not just a museum, but a living, dynamic place where art, science and technology meet. Cultural programming includes major temporary exhibitions, such as the exhibition La Grande Brera. A Community of Arts and Sciences curated by Luca Molinari, which tells the architectural and social history of the Brera complex from the 14th century to the present, and Mario Ceroli. La forza di sognare ancora curated by Cesare Biasini Selvaggi.

Mario Cucinella Architects’ project has transformed Palazzo Citterio into an example of an inclusive and accessible museum. Spaces such as the Hall of Mirrors and the reading area, on the first floor, invite visitors to experience the Palazzo not only as a place of exhibition, but as a space for meeting and reflection. This innovative approach reflects the vision of the “Great Brera” as an integrated cultural ecosystem, capable of offering the public an enriching and engaging experience.