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Mario Praz Museum Reopens in Rome After Restoration

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-27

On March 1, 2024, the Museo Mario Praz in Rome welcomed visitors once again after undergoing restoration that began in 2020. Situated in Palazzo Primoli on Via Zanardelli, the museum showcases more than 1,200 items from the collection of Mario Praz (1896–1982), featuring artworks from the late 18th to mid-19th centuries. The state acquired the building from Praz's heirs in the late 1980s, leading to the museum's opening in 1995. The restoration, funded by the Ministry of Culture under Massimo Osanna, was directed by Francesca Condò and Silvana Costa. Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano hailed the museum as a "precious piece of our cultural heritage." Praz, a Florence alumnus, authored over 2,600 works and influenced artists like Francesco Vezzoli.

Key facts

  • Museo Mario Praz reopened March 1, 2024 after restoration since 2020
  • Located in Palazzo Primoli, Via Zanardelli, Rome
  • Over 1,200 pieces from late 18th to mid-19th century
  • Collection includes English furniture, French bronzes, Russian malachites, Bohemian crystals, German porcelain
  • Portraits of Bourbon and Bonaparte royal families
  • State acquired property in late 1980s, museum opened 1995
  • Restoration coordinated by Francesca Condò and Silvana Costa
  • Funded by Direzione Generale Musei, Ministry of Culture led by Massimo Osanna
  • Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano praised museum as cultural heritage
  • Mario Praz (1896–1982) was an anglist, critic, essayist
  • Praz studied in Florence, worked at British Museum, taught at universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Rome
  • Produced over 2,600 publications
  • Contributed to La Cultura, The London Mercury, The Criterion, English Studies, La Stampa, Corriere della Sera
  • Inspired artist Francesco Vezzoli's works from 1997 and 2002

Entities

Artists

  • Mario Praz
  • Francesco Vezzoli

Institutions

  • Museo Mario Praz
  • Palazzo Primoli
  • Direzione Generale Musei
  • Ministero della Cultura
  • British Museum
  • University of Liverpool
  • University of Manchester
  • University of Rome
  • La Cultura
  • The London Mercury
  • The Criterion
  • English Studies
  • La Stampa
  • Corriere della Sera
  • Centre d’Art Contemporain de Genève

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Via Zanardelli
  • Piazza Navona
  • Florence
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Liverpool
  • Manchester

Sources