Raccolte Frugone

About the museum

The Raccolte Frugone grew out of the collections of two brothers from Genoa, G. B. Lazzaro (1860–1935) and Luigi Frugone (1862–1953), entrepreneurs and patrons, who bequeathed them to the Comune di Genova in two legacies, in 1935 and 1953. Lazzaro dealt in wool and Luigi in grain between Italy and Argentina; for their purchases they relied on the dealer and gallery owner Ferruccio Stefani, who steered them towards landscape painting, portraiture and Symbolism.

After a first exhibition at Palazzo Bianco in 1938, the works were kept in storage for a long time. In 1979 the Comune purchased Villa Grimaldi Fassio, in the Nervi park, with the intention of housing the two brothers' collections there. The building, possibly of 16th-century origin, had been renovated in 1959–1960 by the architect Luigi Carlo Daneri; after the adaptation work the museum was inaugurated on 21 March 1993.

The collection comprises 284 works, including paintings, sculptures and drawings by Italian and foreign artists active between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. The display largely respects the taste of the collectors and presents the paintings in their original frames. The museum now forms part of the Musei di Nervi network, together with the GAM, the Wolfsoniana and the Museo Giannettino Luxoro.

Highlights

• Three works by Giovanni Boldini, including the portrait of Miss Bell
• Landscapes by the Macchiaioli Silvestro Lega, Telemaco Signorini and Giovanni Fattori
• Rooms devoted to Symbolism, with artists such as Segantini and Bistolfi
• Foreign post-Impressionist painters, including Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida
• Original frames and a display inspired by the taste of the collectors
• Villa set in the Parks of Nervi

Founded

1993

Operated by

Comune di Genova – Musei di Genova

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for visitors over 65 throughout August.

The combined ticket for the Musei di Nervi (Raccolte Frugone, GAM, Villa Luxoro, Wolfsoniana) costs €9 from Tuesday to Thursday (reduced rate) and €14 from Friday to Sunday (standard rate). Free admission also for journalists, tourist guides, ICOM members, teachers and other categories listed on the website of the Musei di Genova. The ticket can be bought online. Genova Museum Card: 24 hours €24, 48 hours €45, annual €60.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 route spreads over three floors linked by a small lift; a wheelchair suitable for the lift is available. Teaching room on the ground floor and accessible toilets. Two reserved spaces on Via Capolungo near the entrance, with a 5 cm step and no protected route; the Parks of Nervi are accessible.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Regular activities for families and participation in the national days F@MU and KidPass; information and bookings from the museums' education services. From the museum you pass seamlessly into the park.

Getting there & parking

The museum is inside the Parks of Nervi.

Amenities & dining

“Dogs & Museum” dog-sitting service, with a discount for holders of a ticket to a participating civic museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit