Roy Lichtenstein Little Aloha Sonnabend Collection
Have you ever wondered what happens when a city steeped in art decides to open its doors to contemporary art? This is exactly what happens in Mantua: an encounter between past and future that you absolutely cannot miss.
I am referring to the forthcoming opening of the museum dedicated to the Sonnabend Collection, a treasure trove of 20th century masterpieces that will find a home in the renovated Palazzo della Ragione in Mantua starting in the winter of 2025.
THE SONNABEND COLLECTION IN MANTUA
Palazzo della Ragione Mantova
Imagine walking through the halls of an ancient medieval palace, its walls steeped in history, as masterpieces by artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Mario Schifano unfold before your eyes.
This is exactly what awaits you in Mantua. The Sonnabend Collection, born from the enlightened vision of Ileana Sonnabend and her husband Michael, encompasses the best of contemporary art, uniting Europe and America in a timeless cultural embrace.
It’s not just a museum, it’s a journey into the heart of 20th century creativity, revealing the roots of Pop Art, Minimalism andArte Povera. And trust me, it is not one of those collections that you can look at distractedly: each work has a story worth hearing.
Ileana Sonnabend: a woman who changed art
Talking about the Sonnabend Collection means talking about Ileana Sonnabend. An incredible, visionary woman who was able to see beyond cultural and geographical boundaries.
Born in Bucharest in 1914, Ileana moved to New York during the Second World War, where she began her career in the art world alongside her husband Leo Castelli. After her divorce, she married Michael Sonnabend and together they built a network of galleries that revolutionised the international art scene.
Ileana was the first to exhibit many artists who are considered legends today. Thanks to her, names such as Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Michelangelo Pistoletto have found their place in the art world.
It is no exaggeration to say that without her, the contemporary art we know today would be different.
What you will see in the museum: a journey through masterpieces
The museum will be divided into eleven rooms, each dedicated to a different aspect of the Sonnabend Collection’s artistic journey. There will be iconic works such as Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup and Roy Lichtenstein’s Little Aloha, alongside works by the Italians Michelangelo Pistoletto and Mario Schifano.
But that’s not all: the Minimalism of Donald Judd and Robert Morris, the Arte Povera of Jannis Kounellis and Mario Merz, and the daring performances of Vito Acconci and Gilbert & George will be other milestones on your journey.
You will feel as if you are passing from one era to another, with the common thread of an always innovative artistic vision.
Why Mantua?
Are you asking yourself that too? Why Mantua, a city known for its Renaissance past?
Theanswer is simple: the link between art and history is very strong here. Ileana Sonnabend and her husband Michael had a deep love for Italy. He, a Dante scholar, appreciated every corner of our country, and she always supported Italian artists such as Pistoletto and Schifano.
Mayor Mattia Palazzi said:
‘Mantua will enter the international map of contemporary art’.
Of course I can only agree with him. This project is much more than just a museum: it is a bridge between past and future, between tradition and innovation.
Jeff Koons, Wild Boy and Puppy, Sonnabend Collection
If you love art, you cannot miss this opportunity.
The Sonnabend Collection in Mantua will be a place where you can immerse yourself in masterpieces that have marked an era. It will be like taking a trip between New York and Paris without moving from Italy.
Take note: winter 2025, Palazzo della Ragione.
I will wait for you there, between a Campbell’s Soup by Warhol and a performance by Gilbert & George. It will be an unforgettable encounter, the word of someone who lives for art and loves to share it.