Museo Pagliara
Museum of the Suor Orsola Benincasa University with the collection of Rocco Pagliara: paintings, ceramics and furnishings from the 16th to the 19th century, and a small panel by El Greco.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Fondazione Pagliara was established in 1947 by the will of Maria Antonietta and Adelaide Pagliara, who left the artistic heritage inherited from their brother Rocco to the Istituto Suor Orsola Benincasa. Rocco was a collector of paintings, prints, porcelain, glass, ceramics, furniture and music scores. The museum was arranged chronologically in the former nuns’ cells around the great cloister and opened to the public in 1952, under the organisation of Sergio Ortolani and Valerio Mariani.
In 2017 a new display was opened, spread over 13 rooms on the exhibition floor and designed by Pierluigi Leone de Castris. While largely keeping the chronological order, it highlights several thematic groups of Pagliara’s collecting, such as musical iconography, portraiture and still life.
The route runs from late Byzantine-style panels to Mannerist, Caravaggesque, Baroque and Rococo painting, up to Neapolitan art of the 19th century. The most precious piece is the small panel with the Stigmata of Saint Francis by El Greco, datable to 1571.
Highlights
- Stigmata of Saint Francis by El Greco (1571)
- Il Viandante by Michiel Sweerts and Tobias and the Angel by Claude Lorrain
- Esther and Ahasuerus by Bernardo Cavallino and a sketch by Luca Giordano
- Autumn Landscape by Camille Corot and paintings by Morelli, Gigante and Toma
- Porcelain from Capodimonte, Sèvres and Meissen, and Venetian glass
- New display from 2017 across 13 rooms
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione Rocco Pagliara – Thirteen rooms with paintings, sculptures, ceramics, porcelain, furniture and glass from the 16th to the 19th century, with a core of Neapolitan art.
- Founded
- 1952
- Operated by
- Ente Morale Istituto Suor Orsola Benincasa
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free according to the museum list. The institution’s website states “free admission” on Wednesday and visits by reservation on other days.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are offered; reservation by email at least 3 working days before the visit. |
