At a glance

Type

Civic art gallery (paintings, sculpture, decorative arts)

Period

Collections from medieval period to 20th century; Palazzo Volpi dates to the 17th century

Style

Historic baroque palazzo housing modern museum installation

Location

Como, Province of Como, Lombardy, Italy

Coordinates

45.8074° N, 9.0811° E

Overview

Part of the Musei Civici di Como complex, the Civic Art Gallery occupies Palazzo Volpi, a 17th-century patrician residence in the historic centre of Como. The collection was assembled over two centuries through donations, bequests, and municipal acquisitions, forming a comprehensive survey of the visual arts as practised in Como and the broader Lombard territory. The gallery is particularly valued for its holdings of 19th-century Lombard painting and for works by Como-born artists who played a role in the Italian avant-garde of the early 20th century.

History

The origins of the Civic Art Gallery date to the 19th century, when the municipality of Como began systematically collecting works of art for public display, following the broader Italian civic museum movement that emerged after Unification. Palazzo Volpi was assigned to the collection and progressively adapted to serve as an exhibition space. Over time, significant donations enriched the holdings, including works from religious institutions suppressed during the Napoleonic period and gifts from private collectors. The 20th century saw new acquisitions reflecting Como’s status as a centre of Italian Rationalist architecture and abstract art.

What you see

The permanent collection is arranged across the noble floor and upper levels of Palazzo Volpi. Medieval and Renaissance rooms display altarpieces, devotional panels, and illuminated manuscripts associated with the Como diocese and its workshop traditions. A significant section is devoted to 18th- and 19th-century Lombard painting, including landscapes, portraits, and history paintings by regional masters. The 20th-century galleries feature works linked to the Como Rationalist milieu alongside abstract and constructivist works that reflect the city’s connection to the international avant-garde.

Cultural significance

Como was home to one of the most concentrated experiments in Italian Rationalist architecture and design between the wars, and the gallery’s modern holdings document this exceptional creative moment. The institution also preserves the artistic memory of a city that was a significant centre of Lombard cultural life from the early medieval period onward, thanks to the wealth generated by the silk trade and the proximity to Milan and the Alpine routes.

Practical information

Address

Via Diaz 84, 22100 Como CO, Italy

Opening hours

Tuesday–Sunday; check the official Musei Civici di Como website for current hours and admission prices

Admission

Ticketed; combined tickets available for all civic museums

Getting there

Como San Giovanni station links the city to Milan Centrale (approx. 35 minutes) and regional destinations. The gallery is a short walk from the station into the historic centre. By car, Como is reached via the A9 Milan–Chiasso motorway. Lake ferries and hydrofoils connect Como to Bellagio, Varenna, and other lakeside towns.

Sources & resources

• Musei Civici di Como — official museum information
• Cultural Heritage Online — discover more Italian heritage sites