Palazzo Citterio

Grande Brera

Inside the Palazzo Citterio’s historic piano nobile rooms, visitors can explore the late-19th and 20th-century collections that were previously housed in the Napoleonic Rooms of the Pinacoteca di Brera. Some of the highlights include masterpieces by Boccioni, Morandi, Modigliani, and Carrà. The magnificent painting Fiumana by Pellizza da Volpedo is also on display for the first time in decades.

Also of particular note is the Emilio and Maria Jesi collection, donated to Brera with the express wish that it be exhibited in the very rooms where the couple once lived. Some of these works have been in storage for decades owing to lack of display space, but can now be enjoyed by the public at last. An additional section is dedicated to the Vitali collection, renowned for its rich array of archaeological artifacts. Alongside these splendid collections are a host of contemporary works, including loans from The National Gallery of Art in Rome.

For this project, Goppion worked closely with the conservators, curators, and technical staff of Brera, alongside Mario Cucinella Architects, to bring to life the installations envisioned in the museographic plan. The collaboration brought to life installations envisioned in the museographic plan. This process included preliminary activities such as site surveys and assessments of the Palazzo, as well as an in-depth analysis of the artifacts to determine the very best conservation solutions, and to create customized supports for the display of objects in cases and on tables.

On the Palazzo’s Piano Nobile, home to the permanent collections of the Jesi and Vitali families, Goppion created a series of custom glass hoods and bespoke mounts for each object. Exhibition designer Mario Cucinella envisioned these displays to resemble a jewelry collection, with the glass enclosures perfectly tailored to each artifact, enhancing their visibility and offering an intimate viewing experience for visitors.

At the heart of Palazzo Citterio’s installations is an island display case designed to showcase Umberto Boccioni’s celebrated self-portrait. This custom-designed case allows for full front-and-back visibility of the painting, ensuring that visitors can appreciate its dual-sided significance. The rotating frame, equipped with a hinged opening, was engineered to facilitate conservation efforts, enabling restorers to analyze the painting’s condition and perform minor interventions without removing it from the protective enclosure. The case seamlessly combines functionality with cutting-edge conservation technology, meeting the stringent preservation requirements for this masterpiece.

Another standout feature is the wall-mounted display case, recessed into an existing architectural niche. Designed to harmonize with the surrounding décor, the case enhances the niche’s ornamental details and colors while achieving a striking visual effect: the objects within appear to be suspended. Each artifact is supported by a custom-made mount, meticulously crafted to complement the design. Both the Boccioni display case and the wall-mounted case are airtight and feature passive RH% control systems (silica gel), ensuring optimal conditions for the preservation of these invaluable pieces while blending seamlessly into the architectural and museographic vision of Palazzo Citterio.