Poldi Pezzoli Museum to Host "Marvels of the Grand Tour" Exhibition in 2026

Milan's Poldi Pezzoli Museum is set to present "Marvels of the Grand Tour," an international exhibition in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, from January 30 to May 4, 2026. The exhibition aims to offer visitors a cultural journey into the historical Grand Tour experience, highlighting Italian art and culture.

A Cultural Gift to Milan

With Milan preparing to host the Winter Olympics, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum is offering this cultural experience as a gift to visitors and locals alike. The exhibition revisits the Grand Tour, a formative journey that for over three centuries led Europeans to discover Italian art and culture.

Panini's Monumental Masterpiece

The centerpiece of the exhibition is Giovanni Paolo Panini's monumental painting “Roma Antica” (1757), on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This masterpiece of “metapainting” depicts a grand, imaginary gallery showcasing over fifty paintings and views of ancient Roman ruins, populated with statues, monuments, and recognizable figures, including the artist himself and his patron, the Count of Stainville.

A Journey Within a Painting

The exhibition is designed as a journey inside Panini's painting, inviting visitors to explore its details and engage with the museum's artworks. Key pieces include Panini's “Interno del Pantheon” (1743), acquired by the museum in 2024 through a donation, and two rare views by Gaspar van Wittel, “Veduta panoramica di Roma da Villa Medici” and “Veduta panoramica di Roma dalla Trinità dei Monti.”

Souvenirs of the Grand Tour

These works highlight the popularity of vedute (landscape paintings) as souvenirs for Grand Tour travelers. The exhibition also features a Roman sarcophagus from the 3rd century AD, recently restored, and a porcelain reproduction of Laocoön and His Sons.

Additionally, the museum's collection of Grand Tour fans, decorated with scenes of Rome, Naples, Pompeii, and Paestum, will be displayed in its entirety for the first time. These fans, acquired in 2005, are precious souvenir items that capture the essence of the journey.

An Emotional and Cinematic Journey

The exhibition culminates in an original short film by Ferzan Ozpetek, translating the Grand Tour experience into an emotional and cinematic journey.

"In Panini's 'Roma Antica,' the journey is also internal: every ruin, every light, every face is a feeling. I wanted to show how art can still surprise and awaken us," kata sutradara.

Conversations on the Grand Tour

The exhibition is accompanied by a series of talks titled “Conversazioni sul Grand Tour,” curated by Lavinia Galli, featuring lectures and concert-lessons with scholars and experts. From February 12 to May 4, 2026, these sessions will delve into the locations, figures, music, objects, and images of the journey that shaped the myth of Italy.

Here’s a schedule of the talks:

Schedule of Talks

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Statements from Museum Officials

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“Given the importance of the Winter Olympics for the city of Milan, the Poldi Pezzoli Museum wishes to present a cultural project developed through an international collaboration with one of the most prestigious museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of New York. A gift for the many tourists who will arrive in the city but also an opportunity to relive the emotions and experiences of the grand tour through dialogue with the Museum's collections,” kata Alessandra Quarto, director of the Museum.

“We are very happy to collaborate with the Poldi Pezzoli Museum for the exhibition dedicated to the Grand Tour, an initiative that contributes to deepening one of the most fascinating chapters of European culture with a loan that enters into dialogue with the prestigious collection of the Museum house,” kata Stephan Wolohojian, Curator in Chief of European Painting at the Metropolitan Museum.

Exhibition Details

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Featured Artists

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Grand Tour Themes

Tema-tema utama Grand Tour:

Impact of the Winter Olympics

The museum highlights the importance of Milan hosting the Winter Olympics and aims to provide a rich cultural experience for visitors during this time.

Additional Artworks

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Cultural Enrichment

The “Marvels of the Grand Tour” exhibition at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum promises a deep dive into the art, culture, and history that shaped the European understanding of Italy, offering both locals and international visitors a unique and enriching experience.