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Museum of the Lercaro Foundation with the cardinal’s collection: modern and contemporary art (Manzù, Morandi, Balla, Fontana) in dialogue with ancient works.
October 1, 2026 – November 1, 2026
Ilaria Venturini, who specialises in graphic art and intaglio printmaking, turns her observation of birds in the Valli di Argenta and Comacchio and on the banks of the Reno into visual traces and printed memories.
September 17, 2026 – January 17, 2027
For the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis, medieval and contemporary works engage across two complementary routes, between the Museo d'Arte Lercaro and the Museo Civico Medievale. Paintings, sculptures, miniatures, ceramics and codices are on view.
August 26, 2026 – November 4, 2026
The exhibition explores the relationship of Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro with modern architecture during his episcopate in Bologna, through letters, sketches and archive materials. One focus is devoted to the sixteen parish centres built in Bologna.
The collection grew out of works bought by Cardinal Giacomo Lercaro, archbishop of Bologna from 1952 to 1968, and from works that artists, collectors and admirers gave him over time. The first gift dates from 1971: four Bolognese artists (Aldo Borgonzoni, Pompilio Mandelli, Enzo Pasqualini and Ilario Rossi) presented works to the cardinal for his eightieth birthday. From that gesture came the idea of opening the works to the public in the rooms of Villa San Giacomo, the cardinal’s residence in the hills around Bologna.
As donations increased, the collection was reorganised according to museum criteria, first with Franco Solmi and then under the artistic direction of Marilena Pasquali, who in 2003 oversaw the move to the present home in Via Riva di Reno, renovated with the contribution of the Fondazione Carisbo. Since 2008 the artistic director has been Andrea Dall’Asta SJ, who has rethought the display as a dialogue between ancient and contemporary art, respecting the original “camera delle meraviglie” (cabinet of wonders) layout.
The permanent collection includes sculptures by Giacomo Manzù, Francesco Messina and Adolfo Wildt; paintings and works on paper by Giorgio Morandi, Giacomo Balla, Filippo de Pisis, Renato Guttuso and Giovanni Boldini; works by Lucio Fontana, Pablo Picasso and Alexander Calder; and works by contemporary artists such as Ettore Spalletti and Mimmo Paladino. Alongside them are a few ancient pieces, such as a Madonna del Latte from between the 15th and 16th centuries.
Admission is free.
Admission to the museum is free.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Great for kids & families
Educational workshops at the museum for schools of all levels.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum offers educational routes for schools of all levels, the “Didachè” workshops and the “Bibbia & Arte” project. |
