Museo Poldi Pezzoli Explores Grand Tour Souvenirs in 2026 Milan Exhibition

The Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan presents a 2026 exhibition examining the material culture of the Grand Tour, moving beyond traditional vedute to showcase the diverse objects European aristocrats collected during their Italian journeys. A highlight is Giovanni Paolo Panini's mid-18th century masterpiece 'Roma Antica', created for the French ambassador to the Holy See, which receives a cinematic reinterpretation by Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Özpetek. The show features an array of souvenirs including painted souvenir fans, luxury micromosaic jewelry, travel guides like 'Les Délices de l’Italie', maps, and notebooks. Panini, a key artistic figure of the Grand Tour known for his capricci and Italian views, is featured alongside works by Gaspar van Wittel, who painted Roman vistas. The museum's newly acquired Panini painting of the Pantheon, donated by Giovanna Zanuso, marks the artist's first work in a Milanese public collection. The exhibition contrasts historical mementos like fans depicting Vesuvius and the Colosseo with contemporary tourist trinkets, offering a comprehensive look at the educational and cultural pilgrimage that defined European travel for centuries.