Palazzo Altemps in Rome Transforms into Contemporary Art Hub

Palazzo Altemps, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano, is evolving into a center for modern and contemporary art. Following a partnership with BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas, which loaned five Roman sculptures for five years, the museum is now hosting a series of contemporary exhibitions. Currently on view until September 1 is "Empire," the second phase of Elisabetta Benassi's project, featuring 6,000 terracotta bricks in the courtyard. Upcoming shows include a monographic exhibition on Medardo Rosso (October 9, 2019 to February 2, 2020), curated by Francesco Stocchi and Paola Zatti, showcasing works in wax, plaster, bronze, and photographs. From March 2020, an exhibition on Filippo de Pisis will include 40 graphic works. These exhibitions result from collaboration with the Galleria d'Arte Moderna and Museo del Novecento in Milan, continuing a partnership that began in 2017 with the "Citazioni Pratiche. Fornasetti a Palazzo Altemps" show. The museum director Daniela Porro stated that the loan of sculptures naturally fits the ancient collection, while contemporary art helps fulfill the museum's mission to promote archaeology to a wider audience.