December 7, which is the official day of Saint Ambrose, a patron saint of Milan, is marked by one more important event for the entire art community. Palazzo Citterio – part of the new Grande Brera cultural complex – is inaugurated today. This 18th-century residence, conveniently located only a couple hundred meters away from the Pinacoteca di Brera, will exhibit 200+ modern and contemporary artworks.

About the Grande Brera Complex

The development of the Grande Brera cultural complex lasted for over 50 years since the moment the first plans were made. The new complex is set to unify three major cultural entities in the heart of Milan – Palazzo Citterio, the Pinacoteca di Brera, and the Braidense National Library – into a single museum complex that mimics similar art objects in Florence and Rome.

The project pursues both cultural and financial goals, as, according to the complex’s director Angelo Crespi, similar complexes in Florence and Rome yield the cities €63 million and €100 million in revenue annually. These figures stand in sharp contrast with the annual revenues of Brera, hardly reaching €5 million. Yet, the complex is expected to experience a major revival in tourist interest, especially after receiving The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci under its curatorship in October 2024.

What Will Be on Display at Palazzo Citterio?

The new object of the Brera complex is expected to add more interest in tourists with a passion for art to visit it. The Pinacoteca di Brera already proudly holds the title of Italy’s most prestigious museum with a rare collection of artworks, but starting from December 8, its visitors will also get access to 200+ modern and contemporary artworks displayed at Palazzo Citterio. The collection contains exclusive pieces, such as Head of a Bull (1942) by Pablo Picasso and La Fiumana (1898) by Pellizza da Volpedo. Other pearls of the collection include rare works by Amedeo Modigliani and Georges Braque.

Origins of the Palazzo Citterio Collection

The backbone of the art collection currently displayed at Palazzo Citterio is formed by the donations of the Jesi and Vitali families, made from 1976 to 1984. The Brera complex’s authorities and art curators also acquire selected artworks from the open art market to replenish the collection. At present, the Museum is in the process of negotiating the purchase of Mario Schifano’s and Arturo Martini’s art pieces for its collection.