Banco BPM's Corporate Art Collection: From Renaissance Patronage to 19,000 Works
Banco BPM, headquartered in Verona, boasts a corporate art collection comprising approximately 19,000 pieces spanning from the 13th to the 20th century. This collection emerged from the 2017 merger of Banca Popolare di Milano and Banco Popolare and features works from various banks, emphasizing ancient art (1200–1700) and modern pieces (1800–1900s). Among the distinguished artists represented are Il Guercino, Vanvitelli, and Picasso. An exhibition titled “Tutta l’intensità dell’amore materno” will take place at the Milan branch until June 21, 2024, displaying 16 pieces that delve into maternal love, including contributions from Armando Spadini and a key sculpture by Arnaldo Pomodoro. Notably, corporate art collecting in Italy has roots in the Renaissance, with banking foundations owning 40% of such collections.
Key facts
- Banco BPM's collection includes 19,000 works from the 13th to 20th centuries.
- The collection merged from BPM and Banco Popolare in 2017.
- Banco Popolare focused on ancient art (1200–1700); BPM on modern/contemporary (1800–1900s).
- Exhibition 'Tutta l’intensità dell’amore materno' runs until June 21, 2024 at Piazza Meda, Milan.
- The exhibition features 16 works by artists including Roberto Borsa, Ettore Beraldini, Vanni Rossi, Armando Spadini, Giuseppe Mantessi, Donato Frisia, and Pellegrino Lamberti.
- Literary texts by D'Annunzio, Dante, Alcott, De Amicis, and Leopardi accompany the artworks.
- Arnaldo Pomodoro's sculpture 'Movimento' (1970–71) is central to the installation.
- 40% of Italian corporate collections are held by banking foundations, per Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Entities
Artists
- Il Guercino
- Luca Giordano
- Vanvitelli
- Gaetano Previati
- Afro Basaldella
- Giuseppe Santomaso
- Arnaldo Pomodoro
- Mario Sironi
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Pablo Picasso
- Roberto Borsa
- Ettore Beraldini
- Vanni Rossi
- Armando Spadini
- Giuseppe Mantessi
- Donato Frisia
- Pellegrino Lamberti
- Milesi
- De Benedetti
Institutions
- Banco BPM
- Banca Popolare di Milano
- Banco Popolare
- Popolare di Novara
- Popolare di Verona
- Popolare di Lodi
- Popolare di Crema
- Popolare di Cremona
- Credito Bergamasco
- Banco S. Geminiano e S. Prospero
- Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca Pisa Livorno
- Fondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- Patrimonio Artistico di Banco BPM
- Artribune
Locations
- Verona
- Italy
- Milan
- Piazza Meda
- Florence
- Venice
- Novara
- Lodi
- Crema
- Cremona
- Bergamo
- Lucca
- Pisa
- Livorno