Museo Novecento, at Piazza Santa Maria Novella in Florence, is devoted to Italian art of the 20th century, with works spanning painting, sculpture, photography and installation. Its collection includes pieces by Giorgio de Chirico, Giorgio Morandi, Gino Severini and Lucio Fontana. The former Spedale delle Leopoldine pairs this art with a route through historic rooms and contemporary displays. Look for the Fontana room, installations on the first-floor loggia and a film montage about Florence on the upper floor. A café and restaurant there also have views over the city.
A collection shaped by the 1966 flood
The museum’s roots lie in the flood that struck Florence in 1966 and damaged or destroyed thousands of works of art. Art historian Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti helped organise an appeal for artists to donate pieces to the city. More than 200 artists responded, creating the basis for a collection that eventually found a home at Museo Novecento.
The museum opened in 2014 inside the Spedale delle Leopoldine, a building with a much longer history. It had served as a hospital, a shelter for pilgrims and a school. The present-day displays bring that setting into contact with art from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Italian art across the galleries
The permanent collection draws on Florence’s civic holdings and concentrates largely on Italian art from the first half of the 20th century. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, videos and installations give the display several different forms. Artists represented include Giorgio de Chirico, Filippo de Pisis, Gino Severini, Giorgio Morandi and Felice Casorati.
Among the works identified as collection highlights are Lucio Fontana’s Cavalli Marini, Arturo Martini’s L’attesa o Susanna and Ottone Rosai’s portrait of Domenico Giuliotti. The broader itinerary takes in movements including Futurism and Arte Povera. Rather than treating the museum as a single sequence of paintings, take time to notice how sculpture and installation change the character of the rooms.
Installations, film and changing displays
The museum uses parts of its architecture as display space. Installations appear in the courtyard and on the first-floor loggia, while a dedicated room presents immersive work by Lucio Fontana. The route also gives space to fashion and theatre on the second floor.
Temporary exhibitions sit alongside the permanent collection, and the museum’s programme includes presentations, screenings and concerts. The displays change, so check what is on before your visit if a particular artist or exhibition is the main reason for going. The visit ends with a cinematic montage of films set in Florence, lasting about 20 minutes.
Visiting with children
The museum has activities designed for children as well as its gallery displays. The Time Machine programme is intended for ages 8 to 12 and introduces artists such as Emilio Vedova, Lucio Fontana, Bruno Munari and Giorgio de Chirico. Other workshops can be arranged for different ages. Contact the museum ahead of time for details and booking, particularly if you are planning a group activity or a child’s birthday celebration.
FAQ
What kind of art is at Museo Novecento?
The museum focuses on modern and contemporary art, particularly Italian work from the 20th century. Its collection includes paintings, sculpture, photography, video and installations.
Which artists can you see at Museo Novecento?
The collection includes works by Giorgio de Chirico, Filippo de Pisis, Gino Severini, Giorgio Morandi, Felice Casorati, Lucio Fontana and others.
How long is the film at the end of the visit?
The cinematic montage of films set in Florence runs for about 20 minutes.
Does Museo Novecento have activities for children?
Yes. The Time Machine activity is intended for children aged 8 to 12, and the museum also arranges workshops for other ages. Ask the museum about details and booking.
