Mantua's Palazzo della Ragione to Open Contemporary Art Museum with Sonnabend Collection in 2025
A modern art museum is set to debut on November 29, 2025, within the historic 13th-century Palazzo della Ragione in Mantua, showcasing pieces from the Sonnabend Collection. This initiative, led by Mario Codognato and featuring installation design by Federico Fedel, stems from the vision of Ileana Sonnabend (1914–2007), Michael Sonnabend (1900–2001), and their son Antonio Homem, focusing on significant post-war art movements. Collaborators include the Comune di Mantova, the Sonnabend Collection Foundation, and Marsilio Arte. The exhibition will feature iconic American works such as Jasper Johns' Figure 8, Roy Lichtenstein's Little Aloha, and Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup, alongside minimalist sculptures and contributions from Italian contemporaries. Artists like Bernd & Hilla Becher and Gilbert & George represent photography and performance. Codognato emphasized the Sonnabends' connections to Italy.
Key facts
- Palazzo della Ragione in Mantua, built around 1250, will open a contemporary art museum on November 29, 2025.
- The museum will permanently house works from the Sonnabend Collection.
- Mario Codognato is the artistic director; Federico Fedel designed the installation.
- The Sonnabend Collection was built by Ileana Sonnabend, Michael Sonnabend, and Antonio Homem.
- The project involves the Comune di Mantova, Sonnabend Collection Foundation, and Marsilio Arte.
- The exhibition includes works by Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and others.
- Arte Povera artists like Giovanni Anselmo, Jannis Kounellis, and Mario Merz are featured.
- The museum occupies eleven rooms in the restored 13th-century building.
Entities
Artists
- Jasper Johns
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Andy Warhol
- Robert Rauschenberg
- Jim Dine
- James Rosenquist
- Tom Wesselmann
- Michelangelo Pistoletto
- Mario Schifano
- Donald Judd
- Robert Morris
- Bruce Nauman
- Richard Serra
- Giovanni Anselmo
- Jannis Kounellis
- Mario Merz
- Giulio Paolini
- Gilberto Zorio
- Bernd & Hilla Becher
- Luigi Ontani
- Vito Acconci
- Gilbert & George
- Candida Höfer
- Matthias Schaller
- Ileana Sonnabend
- Michael Sonnabend
- Antonio Homem
- Aldo Andreani
- Mario Codognato
- Federico Fedel
Institutions
- Palazzo della Ragione
- Musei Civici di Mantova
- Sonnabend Collection Foundation
- Marsilio Arte
- Comune di Mantova
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Mantua
- Italy
- Bucharest
- Manhattan
- New York
- Cracow
- Milan
- Rome