Museo dei Bozzetti "Pierluigi Gherardi"

About the museum

The Museo dei Bozzetti “Pierluigi Gherardi” was founded in 1984 in Pietrasanta, on the initiative of Jette Muhlendorph, with the aim of documenting the work of the sculptors who come to the town from all over the world to create their works in the local craft workshops. The tradition of artistic marble working is attested here since the 14th century, and the marble workshops, bronze foundries and workshops of mosaicists and modellers continue this history today.

The main venue is the former convent of Sant’Agostino, a 16th-century building. The route explains how a work in marble or bronze comes into being: the bozzetti, sketches at reduced scale, and the models, at full size, represent the artist's initial idea before its translation into sculpture, and often bear the marks left by the sculptors for the craftsmen, such as pencil numbers and coloured lines.

The collection numbers over 1,300 sketches and models, largely in plaster, by more than 400 Italian and foreign artists, among them Fernando Botero, Pietro Cascella, Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean-Michel Folon. The offer is completed by the Sala Luisi, with over 450 reference plaster casts from the historic workshop of Pietrasanta, a thematic exhibition space at Palazzo Panichi and, outdoors, the International Park of Contemporary Sculpture, spread through the town's streets and squares.

Highlights

• Over 1,300 sketches and models by more than 400 artists
• Works by masters such as Botero, Cascella, Niki de Saint Phalle and Folon
• Sala Luisi with over 450 reference plaster casts
• Venue in the former 16th-century Sant’Agostino convent
• International Park of Contemporary Sculpture in the town

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione dei bozzetti – Over 1,300 sketches and models, largely in plaster, by more than 400 Italian and foreign sculptors, in the former Sant’Agostino convent.
• Sala Luisi – Gipsoteche storiche – Display of over 450 reference plaster casts, largely donated by the heirs of the historic Luisi workshop in Pietrasanta.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Comune di Pietrasanta

Visitors per year

approx. 40,349

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum, the Sala Luisi and Palazzo Panichi. For prices of guided tours and educational activities: 0584 795500.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

One section on the ground floor and two sections on the first floor are accessible via the rear; the fourth section on the first floor can be viewed with the virtual tour. The Sala Luisi is accessible, with entrance from the museum car park; Palazzo Panichi is not accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop with the museum's general catalogue and publications on the craft workshops of Versilia; the documentary archive “Documentart” can be consulted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit