Gemma De Angelis Testa donates €17.3 million contemporary art collection to Venice

Venice has received its most significant art donation in six decades, valued at €17.3 million, from Gemma De Angelis Testa, the widow of renowned advertising figure Armando Testa. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro announced that this collection will be displayed at Ca' Pesaro, with an exhibition set for spring 2023 under a loan agreement. The donation includes five pieces by Marlene Dumas, along with works from notable artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, and Mario Merz. Additionally, it features contributions from female artists like Marina Abramović and Shirin Neshat, as well as 17 works by Armando Testa and international figures like Anish Kapoor and Ai Weiwei. Gemma Testa expressed gratitude to Gabriella Belli and Gianfranco Maraniello for their assistance, highlighting the significance of public exhibition over private collections.