Four Contemporary Art Exhibitions to See in Italy During January 2026

Four significant art exhibitions are on view across Italy in January 2026. In Milan, Hito Steyerl presents 'The Island' at the Osservatorio of the Fondazione Prada until October 30, 2026. This site-specific installation combines film, video, sculpture, and other media to explore themes of technology, ecology, and power through the metaphor of an island. In Rome, the Museo dell'Ara Pacis hosts 'Impressionism and Beyond. Masterpieces from the Detroit Institute of Arts' until May 3, 2026. This exhibition features 52 works from the American museum's collection, tracing the evolution of modern painting from Impressionists like Degas and Renoir to avant-garde artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, and Kandinsky. In Turin, the Reggia di Venaria presents 'Fernand Léger!' until February 1, 2026. This show places the French avant-garde artist's work in dialogue with later figures like Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, Arman, Keith Haring, and Gilbert & George, drawing loans from institutions including the Musée National Fernand Léger in Biot and the Centre Pompidou. In Parma, Palazzo del Governatore showcases 'Giacomo Balla. A Universe of Light' until February 1, 2026. This retrospective, featuring over 60 works from the GNAM in Rome, focuses on the Futurist artist's exploration of light, tracing his development from early realist and Divisionist works to his dynamic Futurist compositions.