Museo civico Giovanni Fattori

About the museum

The origins of the museum date back to 1877, when the Comune di Livorno set up a civic picture gallery with paintings by Giovanni Fattori, Enrico Pollastrini and Cesare Bartolena. Over time the collection was enriched with works by Lega, Gambogi, Cabianca and others; after Fattori's death about 250 drawings and 150 etchings by the artist were acquired, and in the early 1930s the museum was named after him. Since 1994 it has been housed in Villa Mimbelli.

The villa was built for the merchant Francesco Mimbelli to a design by the architect Vincenzo Micheli and completed in 1868. It largely retains its original decorations, with frescoes by Annibale Gatti and by the brothers Pietro and Giuseppe Della Valle, and rooms such as the green salon, the Moorish hall and the billiard room; the monumental staircase is decorated with ceramic putti inspired by the Della Robbia. Around the villa extends a park, with the former granaries used for temporary exhibitions.

After a complete rearrangement curated by Vincenzo Farinella, the museum reopened on 10 July 2026. The chronological route, from the ground floor to the second floor, presents almost four hundred works: the section dedicated to Fattori, with paintings such as the Cavalry Charge at Montebello, The Red Tower and Signora Martelli, followed by the Macchiaioli Lega, Signorini and Cabianca, the naturalism of Nomellini and the Tommasi, Divisionism and the post-Macchiaioli, with early works by Modigliani, and a room dedicated to Leonetto Cappiello.

Highlights

• Cavalry Charge at Montebello by Giovanni Fattori, painted on both sides
• Around fifty works by Fattori, including The Red Tower and Signora Martelli
• Macchiaioli and post-Macchiaioli: Lega, Signorini, Cabianca, Nomellini
• Early works by Amedeo Modigliani
• Room dedicated to Leonetto Cappiello
• Eclectic interiors of Villa Mimbelli with monumental staircase and frescoes

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente di Villa Mimbelli – Chronological route over three floors through art from Livorno and Tuscany from 1850 to the 1940s, with works by Fattori, the Macchiaioli and the post-Macchiaioli and a room dedicated to Cappiello.

Founded

1877

Operated by

Comune di Livorno

Visitors per year

approx. 10,223

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for journalists with a press card from the professional order. For holders of an AT bus pass and for AT and GEST employees, the reduced ticket applies on presentation of the subscription receipt or badge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility: ramp at the entrance, lift, and a wheelchair available at the ticket office. For specific requests you can write to culturaccessibile@comune.livorno.it.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Themed guided tours for families and mixed groups by booking, including “Il Risorgimento e i macchiaioli” (The Risorgimento and the Macchiaioli) and the portraits by Corcos; special initiatives on public holidays; the museum takes part in the Giornata delle Famiglie al Museo (F@MU).

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the road signs for Accademia Navale and Viale Italia (about 15 minutes from the station).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum bookshop sells publications on the collection, on the history of Livorno and on its artists.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit