Museo Poldi Pezzoli

Museum in Milan

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Paolobon140

The Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan is an art museum situated in an elegant 19th-century mansion, originally serving as the private residence of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. This museum was created from Poldi Pezzoli’s personal art collection.

Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, a young aristocrat with a passion for art, significantly expanded his family’s art collection. Upon his death in 1879, he bequeathed his palace and art collection to the Brera Academy. In 1881, the Museo Poldi Pezzoli was officially opened to the public.

During World War II, the museum suffered severe damage, resulting in the complete destruction of some paintings. Surviving artworks were restored, and the palazzo itself was rebuilt and reopened in 1951.

The Poldi Pezzoli mansion provides a beautiful backdrop for its Italian Renaissance art collection, which includes a wide range of decorative objects such as porcelain, sculptures, tapestries, and timepieces.

One of the museum’s notable features is the armory, a magnificent hall housing a diverse array of weapons and armor. Visitors should also make sure to explore the Golden Room, home to some of the museum’s most significant masterpieces, including “Lamentation over the Dead Christ with Saints” by Botticelli and “Ritratto di Giovane Dama” by Antonio Pollaiolo.

The Museo Poldi Pezzoli appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Milan!

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