Museo del Novecento occupies the Palazzo dell’Arengario on Piazza del Duomo, beside Milan Cathedral. Its collection follows 20th-century art, with Italian works at its core and paintings and sculpture by international artists including Picasso, Kandinsky and Klee. Look for Umberto Boccioni’s Futurist sculpture Unique Forms of Continuity in Space and Lucio Fontana’s neon installation. Large windows frame the Duomo, especially from the upper floors. The third-floor restaurant is another reason to pause, with views across the square.
A museum for 20th-century art
Museo del Novecento is inside the Palazzo dell’Arengario, on Piazza del Duomo. It opened to the public on 6 December 2010, with the aim of presenting the city’s collections and introducing a wider audience to art from the 20th century. The works came to Milan through donations and purchases made over time by the city’s art institutions.
The collection is centred on Italian painting and sculpture, with international works alongside them. Its subject is a century, not one style, so the galleries move between different approaches and materials. You can encounter paintings, sculptures and other forms of work as the collection follows changes in art from the early 1900s through later movements.
Follow the collection through its movements
The permanent displays begin with Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo’s The Fourth Estate, then take in artists and movements that shaped Italian modern art. Futurism has a prominent place, with works by Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Balla among the artists represented. Boccioni’s Unique Forms of Continuity in Space is a key sculpture to look for; another version of the work appears on the Italian 20-cent coin.
The route also includes metaphysical art, abstraction and later post-war work. Giorgio Morandi, Giorgio de Chirico and Lucio Fontana are among the Italian artists in the collection. A dedicated area focuses on Fontana, whose neon installation, made for the 1951 Milan Triennale, is one of the museum’s notable works.
International artists appear in a section of their own. Picasso, Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Braque and Matisse are among the names represented. Their work gives context to the Italian collection and lets you compare different ways artists approached modern painting and sculpture.
The building and the Duomo view
The Arengario stands on the south side of Piazza del Duomo, directly beside the cathedral. The building was converted into a museum, which opened in 2010. Inside, a spiral ramp links the galleries across several floors, while large windows look out over the square and the Duomo.
The upper-floor view is a natural pause in the visit. Fontana’s neon work is displayed beneath the windows, bringing the installation and the cathedral into the same frame. The museum’s third-floor restaurant also looks over the Duomo, so you can plan a meal or coffee around the visit. The Royal Palace is close by if you want to add another museum stop in the same area.
FAQ
Where is Museo del Novecento?
It is in the Palazzo dell’Arengario at Piazza del Duomo 8, beside Milan Cathedral.
What can you see at Museo del Novecento?
The collection focuses on 20th-century art, especially Italian painting and sculpture, with works by Boccioni, Morandi and Fontana as well as international artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky and Klee.
How long do you need at Museo del Novecento?
Allow about 2 to 3 hours to explore the collection.
Is Museo del Novecento open on Mondays?
No. The museum is closed on Mondays.
