Camera Picta: New Art Bookshop Opens in Milan's Porta Romana
Camera Picta – Libreria delle Arti, an independent bookshop specializing in visual arts, has opened at Via della Braida 5 in Milan's Porta Romana district. Founded by art historian Michela Bettoni, the store offers monographs, critical texts, illustrated essays, graphic design titles, educational books, and a selection of handmade objects by local artists and designers. Bettoni previously worked for over a decade at the Triennale bookshop for Electa and collaborated with Mondadori Multimediale in art education. The shop's name references Andrea Mantegna's frescoed Camera Picta in Mantua. Currently open Tuesday to Friday 14:00–19:00 and Saturday 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–19:00, Bettoni plans to host meetings, presentations, and themed activities to build a reading community. Featured titles include 'Arte o decadenza' by Guercio (Quodlibet), 'La conquista del passato' by Jeffrey Schnapp (Johan & Levi), and 'Albert Speer. La sua battaglia con la vita' by Gitta Sereny (Adelphi). The opening comes amid rising rents challenging independent businesses in Milan.
Key facts
- Camera Picta – Libreria delle Arti opened in July 2025 in Milan's Porta Romana district.
- The bookshop is located at Via della Braida 5, Milan.
- Founder Michela Bettoni is an art historian from Brescia.
- Bettoni worked for over ten years at the Triennale bookshop for Electa and with Mondadori Multimediale.
- The shop specializes in visual arts: monographs, critical texts, graphic design, and educational books.
- It also sells handmade objects by local artists and designers.
- The name 'Camera Picta' refers to Andrea Mantegna's frescoed room in Mantua.
- Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday 14:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–19:00.
- Planned events include meetings, presentations, and themed activities.
- Featured titles include works by Guercio, Jeffrey Schnapp, and Gitta Sereny.
Entities
Artists
- Michela Bettoni
- Andrea Mantegna
- Guercio
- Jeffrey Schnapp
- Gitta Sereny
Institutions
- Camera Picta – Libreria delle Arti
- Triennale
- Electa
- Mondadori Multimediale
- Quodlibet
- Johan & Levi
- Adelphi
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Porta Romana
- Via della Braida 5
- Brescia
- Mantua