Ricci Oddi Gallery Reopens in Piacenza: Museum Refreshed with Community

Ricci Oddi Gallery reopens: a restored museum at the heart of Piacenza

The Galleria Ricci Oddi, inaugurated in 1931 and designed to house a private collection donated to the city, has reopened following a year of restoration. The 1,000-square-metre building with 22 exhibition rooms returns to its original layout to better highlight the relationship between the collection and the architecture.

Main restoration works

The renovation, carried out pro bono by Lissoni & Partners, focused on recovering the building's original harmony conceived by architect Giulio Ulisse Arata. Key interventions included:

• surface restoration and conservation of original architectural elements;
• improvements to natural and artificial lighting to ensure accurate viewing of the artworks;
• reorganization of exhibition spaces for a clearer visitor path;
• technical upgrades for enhanced conservation and security conditions.

The collection: more than a thousand works and the rediscovered Klimt

The Ricci Oddi collection spans roughly a century of art, from late 19th-century works to early 20th-century movements. The gallery holds over a thousand pieces, with about 210 on permanent display to allow rotation and focused presentations.

Notable names in the collection include Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo, Carlo Carrà, Umberto Boccioni, Medardo Rosso and Felice Casorati. The most famous work is the "Portrait of a Lady" by Gustav Klimt, whose dramatic history — from theft to rediscovery — has brought international attention to the gallery.

Community-funded revival

The restoration was made possible by a 500,000-euro fund raised by 24 local contributors, including businesses, associations, private citizens and alumni. This collective effort also funded a new gallery space dedicated to local artists, supporting cultural production within the territory.

Opening week and visitor information

To mark the reopening, the management extended free admission to an entire week, inviting the public to rediscover the collection under its renewed setting. This initiative aims to encourage both residents and visitors to experience the gallery.

Outlook

Recent fundraising and loans, including a notable temporary loan of the Klimt to South Korea, strengthened the museum's financial and cultural standing. The restored displays and renewed access policies are intended to boost visitor engagement and program development in the coming years.

Reopening date: 28 April 2025 (free admission during the reopening week)