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Foundation in the San Micheletto complex in Lucca with the “Pier Carlo Santini” sculpture gardens, a collection of 20th-century sculpture open free of charge.
November 14, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Curated by Paolo Bolpagni and Francesca Pola, the exhibition looks at European art of the 1980s through non-figurative and aniconic tendencies, with works by Carla Accardi, Enrico Castellani, Dadamaino and Felice Varini and site-specific interventions in the centre of Lucca.
The Fondazione Centro Studi sull’Arte Licia e Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti is based in Lucca, in the monumental complex of San Micheletto, where it has operated since its foundation. The complex has very ancient origins: the church of San Michele in Cipriano is documented from 720, was rebuilt in 1195 and in 1460 became a convent of the Poor Clares. After the Napoleonic expropriation of 1806 the nuns returned in 1827; in the 20th century the complex passed to the Opera Pia di Terrasanta and from 1972 to the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca.
In addition to the library, the archives and the photo library, the foundation holds a collection of contemporary sculptures displayed in the cloisters, the Giardini della scultura “Pier Carlo Santini” (sculpture gardens), named after the first director of the Centro studi Ragghianti, who played a decisive role in forming the collection. The display was reorganised in December 2016 by Paolo Bolpagni, with the layout by the architect Mauro Lovi.
In the first cloister are works by artists such as Giò Pomodoro, Pietro Cascella and Ugo La Pietra; the second cloister houses large stone and marble works by Mario Negri, Lorenzo Guerrini and Salvatore Sava. The library and its entrance hall preserve sculptures by Alberto Viani, Giuliano Vangi and others. The foundation also organises exhibitions, workshops and meetings.
Admission is free.
Free admission to the sculpture gardens; any temporary exhibitions have their own conditions.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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The foundation has a bookshop.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
| School programs | yes |
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| Good to know | The foundation offers educational workshops for schools and cultural meetings. |
