Nicola Pucci opens 'Scuola Italiana' at Palazzo Merulana: contemporary

Scuola Italiana: Nicola Pucci at Palazzo Merulana

The first installment of the exhibition series Scuola Italiana is dedicated to Sicilian artist Nicola Pucci and is on display at Palazzo Merulana. The show stages a conversation between Pucci's contemporary paintings and key works from the twentieth-century Cerasi Collection, presenting an updated perspective on Italian figurative painting.

Curated by Gianluca Marziani, the exhibition highlights both affinities and contrasts between historical and contemporary visual languages. Pucci's work blends realistic details with dreamlike elements, introducing moments of estrangement that recall a contemporary form of Magic Realism.

The encounter with the Cerasi Collection—which includes works by artists such as Balla, Sironi and De Chirico—provides a historical framework for interpreting Pucci's formal and thematic choices. Gallery rooms bring out stylistic echoes and recurring motifs that invite reflection on the continuity of painting in Italy.

Nineteen works are on display, covering recurring themes in Pucci's practice: suspended aircraft in surreal settings, animals placed in unexpected scenes, and human figures intertwined with symbolic elements. The installation encourages visitors to rethink perceptions of reality and the position of painting today.

• Location: Palazzo Merulana, via Merulana 121, Rome
• Dates: from 3 April to 5 July 2026
• Admission: included with the museum ticket
• Getting there: Esquilino district; check local public transport for best connections

The Scuola Italiana project will continue with additional stages dedicated to contemporary artists chosen for their thematic resonance with the permanent collection, offering fresh perspectives on figurative painting and its roots in Italian art history.