MANTUA.- Art lovers, mark your calendars! In winter 2025, the historic city of Mantua will open a brand-new contemporary art museum dedicated to the extraordinary Sonnabend Collection. Housed in the beautifully restored Palazzo della Ragione, this new cultural landmark promises to be a major draw for art enthusiasts worldwide.


Delve into the life and influence of Ileana Sonnabend, the visionary art dealer who championed Pop Art, Minimalism, and more. Click here to purchase "Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New" on Amazon and discover her pivotal role in shaping the contemporary art world.


The Sonnabend Collection isn't just any collection; it's a treasure trove of 20th-century art amassed by the legendary art dealer Ileana Sonnabend and her family. Ileana, along with her husband Michael and their adopted son Antonio Homem, were pioneers in the art world, introducing American Pop Art and Minimalism to Europe and vice versa. They had galleries in both Paris and New York, acting as crucial bridges between artistic movements on both continents.

This new museum isn't just about displaying art; it's about telling a story. The story of Ileana Sonnabend's vision, her keen eye for talent, and her dedication to supporting groundbreaking artists. The exhibition, designed by Federico Fedel, will unfold across eleven rooms, each showcasing key moments and movements in 20th-century art.

Imagine standing before iconic works like Jasper Johns’ Figure 8, Roy Lichtenstein’s Little Aloha, Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup, and Robert Rauschenberg’s Kite (the very one that won the Golden Lion at the 1964 Venice Biennale!). These pieces, along with works by other Pop Art giants like Jim Dine, James Rosenquist, and Tom Wesselmann, will be displayed alongside Italian contemporaries like Michelangelo Pistoletto and Mario Schifano, creating a fascinating dialogue between American and European art.

The journey continues through Minimalism, with works by Donald Judd and Robert Morris, and explores the sculptural innovations of Bruce Nauman and Richard Serra. The exhibition also shines a light on Arte Povera, a movement that Sonnabend championed early on, featuring works by Giovanni Anselmo, Jannis Kounellis, Mario Merz, Giulio Paolini, and Gilberto Zorio.

Sonnabend's passion extended beyond painting and sculpture to photography and performance art. The exhibition will reflect this, showcasing collaborations with artists like Bernd & Hilla Becher, Luigi Ontani, Vito Acconci, Gilbert & George, Candida Hoefer, and Matthias Schaller. The German painting scene of the 1980s, with works by Jorg Immendorff, Anselm Kiefer, and A.R. Penck, and American contemporaries Jeff Koons and Haim Steinbach, will also be represented.

Mantua's Mayor, Mattia Palazzi, is understandably thrilled about this development, stating that it will put Mantua “on the international map of contemporary art.” He sees it as a “strategic investment” for the city and a “success for Italy.”

Antonio Homem, President and co-founder of the Sonnabend Collection Foundation, expressed his excitement about sharing this “great visual biography” in Mantua, a city he calls “a wonderful work of art” in itself.

Artistic director Mario Codognato highlighted the Sonnabends' deep connection to Italy and the serendipitous nature of housing their collection in a 13th-century building. He also emphasized Ileana’s significant role in bringing Italian post-war art to international attention.

Luca De Michelis, CEO of Marsilio Arte and Marsilio Editori, added that the exhibition will be a must-see for anyone interested in Pop Art and the most influential international artists of the 20th century.

The project is a collaborative effort between the Municipality of Mantua, the Sonnabend Collection Foundation, and Marsilio Arte, with support from various local figures. This exciting new museum promises to be a major cultural destination, celebrating the vision of Ileana Sonnabend and the power of contemporary art.


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