The Macchiaioli at Palazzo Reale: a major exhibition on 19th-century light and painting

The Macchiaioli at Palazzo Reale: a major exhibition on 19th-century light and painting

Milan hosts an important exhibition dedicated to the Macchiaioli, the Italian movement that renewed 19th-century painting by focusing on light, colour and everyday scenes. The show gathers more than 100 works from prominent collections and traces both the technical developments and the historical context of the group.

Why see it: the retrospective follows the careers of key figures — including Giovanni Fattori, Telemaco Signorini and Silvestro Lega — and explains the "macchia" technique that broke with academic convention and anticipated some Impressionist explorations. The works also offer perspectives on the Italian Risorgimento through depictions of civilian life and battlefield memory.

• Dates: 3 February – 14 June 2026
• Venue: Palazzo Reale, Piazza del Duomo 12, Milan
• Opening hours:
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 – 19:30
  • Thursday (late opening): 10:00 – 22:30
  • Monday: closed
  • Last admission: one hour before closing
• Tickets: prices from €17 (full) and €13 (reduced); flexible entry options and booking recommended on weekends
• Curators: Francesca Dini, Elisabetta Matteucci and Fernando Mazzocca
• Works on display: more than 100 paintings from major Italian collections

The exhibition suits both art lovers and visitors new to this chapter of Italian cultural history. A highlight is Il Pergolato by Silvestro Lega, a work that embodies the movement’s attention to everyday life and light.

Practical tips: book tickets in advance to avoid queues, allow at least two hours for the visit and consider the Thursday late opening for a less crowded experience.