Palazzo Massari
Museum | Ferrara | Emilia-Romagna | Italy
The Palazzo Massari in Ferrara, Italy, is a significant historical building that today houses several prestigious museums. It was built at the end of the 16th century at the request of Count Onofrio Bevilacqua and has been expanded and renovated multiple times over the centuries.
Architecture and History
The Palazzo Massari consists of two main parts: the Renaissance wing and the neoclassical Palazzina Bianca. The Renaissance wing features a facade made of terracotta-colored brick, while the Palazzina Bianca is designed in a neoclassical style with its bright surfaces. Inside, there are lavishly decorated rooms reminiscent of French royal palaces, including frescoes and stucco work from the late 17th and early 19th centuries.
Gardens and Outbuildings
Originally laid out as an Italian garden, the adjacent park was transformed into an English landscape garden in the 19th century by Count Massari. Since the 1970s, the garden has housed a collection of contemporary sculptures, including works by artists such as Maurizio Bonora, Mario Piva, and Man Ray.
Museums at Palazzo Massari
The Palazzo Massari houses several important museums:
Giovanni Boldini Museum: This museum is dedicated to the life and work of the painter Giovanni Boldini, who was born in Ferrara and known for his portraits of European high society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Museum of the 19th Century: This museum presents a collection of artworks from the 19th century that reflect the cultural development of Ferrara during that time.
Modern and Contemporary Art Museum "Filippo de Pisis": Named after the painter Filippo de Pisis, this museum showcases works of modern and contemporary art that document the artistic diversity of the region.
Current Situation
Extensive restoration work was carried out at the Palazzo Massari after the 2012 earthquake. The museums are currently closed, but the collections are accessible online, allowing visitors to discover the artworks and the history of Ferrarese art from the 19th century to the present.
