Easter 2026: Must-see art exhibitions across Italy

Easter 2026: must-see art exhibitions across Italy

With spring and the Easter holidays, Italian cities host a variety of exhibitions and retrospectives covering painting, photography, installations and design. Below is a concise, practical selection of noteworthy exhibitions, including dates and useful tips to plan your visit.

Milan

Palazzo Reale – Anselm Kiefer. The Alchemists (7 February - 27 September 2026)

A large installation interacting with the historic Sala delle Cariatidi, featuring material-rich works that explore myth, memory and alchemy.

MUDEC – Museum of Cultures – 100 Photographs to Inherit the World (7 March - 28 June 2026)

A group show tracing photography's history from iconic 20th-century authors to contemporary voices.

Florence

Palazzo Strozzi – Rothko in Florence (14 March - 23 August 2026)

An extensive retrospective presenting numerous works that chart Mark Rothko's chromatic and conceptual development.

Palazzo Medici Riccardi – Art Déco. Atmospheres of the 1920s (2 April - 25 August 2026)

An exhibition of furniture, fashion and decorative arts highlighting Florence’s role in the Art Déco movement.

Rome

MAXXI – Franco Battiato. Another Life (31 January - 26 April 2026)

An immersive experience blending music, philosophy and multimedia installations dedicated to the artist's cultural legacy.

Museum of the Ara Pacis – Impressionism and beyond (4 December - 3 May 2026)

Masterpieces spanning the 19th century, from Courbet to Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh, exploring Impressionism's range and influence.

Turin

Royal Museums of Turin – Orazio Gentileschi. A painter on the move (22 November - 3 May 2026)

A retrospective emphasizing the artist's European travels and his use of Caravaggesque light and refined composition.

Venice and Veneto

Le Stanze della Fotografia, Venice – Horst P. Horst (21 February - 5 July 2026)

Over 300 images that document the photographer's elegance, portraiture and fashion work.

Ca' Pesaro – International Gallery of Modern Art – Jenny Saville (28 March - 22 November 2026)

A selection of large-scale paintings investigating the body, identity and contemporary materiality.

Other highlighted shows

• Forlì, Museo Civico San Domenico – Baroque. The Grand Theater of Ideas (21 February - 28 June 2026)
• Montefalco, San Francesco complex – Steve McCurry (4 December - 3 May 2026)
• Monza, Royal Villa – Orangerie – Sandokan. The tiger still roars (7 March - 28 June 2026)
• Aosta, Regional Archaeological Museum – Grigory Gluckmann (27 February - 2 June 2026)
• Piacenza, Palazzo Gotico – Views on Africa (1-4 May 2026)

Practical tips for visitors

• Check hours and booking requirements: holiday schedules can change and some exhibitions require advance tickets.
• Tickets and concessions: look for special holiday promotions or free-entry days at certain institutions.
• Plan travel times: many venues are centrally located—walking or public transport often saves time.
• Allow enough time: major retrospectives and photography shows typically need 1.5–2 hours to be fully enjoyed.

This overview is intended to help plan cultural outings during Easter and beyond. For the latest information on opening hours, special events and ticketing, consult the official websites of each venue before your visit.