See the works of Monet, Cézanne, and Klimt at the National Gallery of Modern Art.
Home to the largest collection of modern art in Italy, the National Gallery of Modern Art displays famous works from 19th, 20th, and 21st-century artists like Klimt and Cézanne; it’s a must-stop for any art lovers in Rome.
Highlights
- See Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Three Ages of Woman’ in person, and admire the textures only truly visible to the naked eye.
- Wander through 55 rooms of stunning artworks, from sculptures to paintings, that span across a timeframe of over two centuries.
- Stop and ponder the meaning behind contemporary works of art, as they aim to provoke thought and emotion in the onlooker.
Tickets & Prices
If you’re interested in visiting the National Gallery of Modern Art, you will need to purchase a ticket.
National Gallery of Modern Art Entry Ticket
Forget queues for tickets at the door when you have a pre-purchased ticket ready on your phone. Entry into the gallery is quick and easy, with a downloadable ticket ready to show at the door.
Important Ticket Information:
- Entrance to the gallery and any temporary exhibitions are included.
- The ticket is valid for one day.
- You will need to choose an hour time slot for entry.
- The gallery is open every day from 9.00 to 19.00, except on Mondays when the gallery is closed.
- If you have a reduced ticket price – i.e., you are a student or a young person from the EU – remember to bring a valid ID.
- Missed tickets due to late arrival are non-refundable.
What to See and Do
If you have had your fill of the ancient in Rome, the National Gallery of Modern Art offers something a little bit different. Here’s what you can expect to see during your visit.
55 Rooms of 19th, 20th and 21st Century Art
With almost 20,000 pieces of art spread across 55 rooms, you won’t be short of things to see. There are several art movements represented within these halls, with surrealism, impressionism, and symbolism only a few examples of dozens of interesting styles.
There are some artists you may recognise, like Van Gogh and Monet, but there will be a number of new names on display to you in the gallery. You are given the chance to explore different styles of contemporary art in this gallery and discover which paintings or sculptures appeal to you most.
You will find entire rooms dedicated to a single group of painters, like the 19th-century Florentine and Neopolitan painters known as the Macchiaioli. You will also explore the works of a number of Italian artists, like the expressionist artist Modigliani, though all styles of contemporary art are well-represented.
If you want to go on a whistle-stop tour of all the famous works here, you can, but there is also enough depth to the collection that you could spend lengthy amounts of time here admiring the art.
Look out for the ‘Room of Ceremonies’, a particularly gorgeous section of the palatial building itself.
See the Most Famous Works on Display
While all the paintings and sculptures on display in the gallery may be worthy of your attention, sometimes a push for time can leave you whittling them down to a select few. These are the most renowned artworks housed in the gallery and shouldn’t be missed:
- ‘The Three Ages of a Woman’ (1905) Gustav Klimt. This masterpiece by the famous Austrian painter Klimt represents the three stages of a woman’s life; childhood, motherhood, and old age.
- ‘Hercules and Lichas’ (1795-1815) Antonio Canova. The beautifully crafted sculpture of Hercules poised to throw his servant into the sea took years to create but was eventually completed 20 years after its initial commission.
- ‘Le Cabanon de Jourdan’ (1906) Paul Cézanne. With bright colours and distinctly Cézanne, this painting is worth a stop to admire the works of one of modern art’s most influential figures.
- ‘Watery Paths’ (1947) Jackson Pollock. See the work of one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, with a name almost synonymous with contemporary art. This is a typical Pollock piece and highlights his unique style perfectly.
- ‘The Gardener’ (1889) Vincent Van Gogh. Though not one of his most famous pieces, any work of Van Gogh’s is worthy of a visit. The Gardener is a wonderful portrait piece not dissimilar to Van Gogh’s own self-portrait.
Other fantastic works of art include one of Monet’s water lilies paintings, ‘Ninfee Rosa’, the ‘Portrait of Giuseppe Verdi’ by Giovanni Boldini, and ‘Un’onda di luce’ by Giacomo Balla.
Directions
The National Gallery of Modern Art is located on the edge of Villa Borghese at Viale delle Belle Arti, 131. It is only a short walk from the Spanish Steps and central Rome.
If travelling via public transport, the most convenient method is by tram; there is a tram stop for the gallery, aptly named Galleria Arte Moderna, which is right outside the palace. Tram lines that run to this stop include 2, 3L, and 19.
For the metro, you will have to walk a little way, as Flaminio (line A), one of the closest stops, is about 20 minutes away on foot. The bus stops are nearer; the Buozzi/Monti Parioli stop is only 5 minutes away and can be reached on the 982 bus.
Did You Know That: 3 Interesting Facts
The gallery has a total of almost 20,000 works of art on display in 55 rooms; there are over 4,400 works of paintings and sculptures and roughly 13,000 drawings and prints – many of which are by Italian artists in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Palazzo delle Belle Arti, which houses the collection, was designed by architect and engineer Cesare Bazzani and originally intended as the centerpiece of the 1911 International Fine Arts Exhibition.
The National Gallery of Modern Art is the only national gallery to be fully dedicated to displaying modern and contemporary art.
History
A short timeline summarising the history of the National Gallery of Modern Art:
- 1883. The collection was founded by royal decree.
- 1911. Many important works of art were purchased during the International Exhibition that was held in Rome this year, not least Klimt’s ‘The Three Ages of Woman’.
- 1914. The collection is moved to its current location, in the Palazzo delle Belle Arti.
- 1959. Works from Alberto Burri are purchased by the gallery. The new style of his work was debated as a waste of money by parliament, though his pieces would go on to win awards.
- 2016. The National Gallery of Modern Art is no longer managed by a separate entity but is autonomous. This change allowed for the introduction of 21st-century art and breathed new life into the gallery.
Address: National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, Viale delle Belle Arti 131, 00197 Roma, Italy · view larger map