CIVIC ART GALLERY “F. PODESTI”

The Francesco Podesti Civic Art Gallery in Ancona was founded in 1884, mainly thanks to the keen interest of Ancona-born painter Francesco Podesti.

It houses numerous paintings of universal value for the history of Italian art, as well as others of great interest for understanding painting in the Marche region from the 14th to the 19th century.

Since 1973, the art gallery has been housed in the historic Palazzo Bosdari in Via Ciriaco Pizzecolli, to which a new section has recently been added, corresponding to Palazzo Bonomini, which has allowed the exhibition space to be expanded.

Among the masterpieces are the magnificent “Pala Gozzi” by Tiziano Vecellio, the first work signed and dated by the Venetian master, the “Madonna with Child” by Carlo Crivelli, the “Sacra Conversazione,” also known as “Pala dell’Alabarda,” by Lorenzo Lotto, and works by Sebastiano Del Piombo, Andrea Lilli, Guercino, Carlo Maratti, and Francesco Podesti, to whom a section is dedicated.

The museum also houses an important 20th-century collection with works by Luigi Bartolini, Anselmo Bucci, Corrado Cagli, Valeriano Trubbiani, Enzo Cucchi, and other artists largely linked to the history of the prestigious Marche Prize.

The art gallery also houses some graphic works and drawings by Luigi Vanvitelli:

Nuovo Lazzaretto di Ancona (New Lazzaretto of Ancona), watercolor drawing;
Porta del Nuovo Molo (Gate of the New Pier), watercolor drawing;
Veduta del Porto di Ancona con il Lazzaretto (View of the Port of Ancona with the Lazzaretto), engraving by Giuseppe Vasi, 1738;

and other engravings and paintings from the 18th century by great masters such as Domenico Corvi, Francesco Caccianiga, Nicola Bertucci, and Lorenzo Daretti, which accurately reflect the artistic climate of the time.

The entrance to the Civic Art Gallery is located at Via Ciriaco Pizzecolli 17; along the same street, you can also admire several noble palaces renovated in the 18th century, such as:

Palazzo Bourbon del Monte, one of the first buildings on the left side of the street, which still has its wooden ceilings and paintings with mythological subjects;
Palazzo Bonarelli (no. 18), whose façade is attributed to Francesco Maria Ciaraffoni, with a simple portal with a lintel surmounted by a frieze with two garlands and a monumental staircase inside;
Palazzo Milesi (no. 41), renovated in the 18th century, has a facade attributed to Francesco Maria Ciaraffoni, with a beautiful portal featuring a female face in the keystone from which two beautiful garlands branch off and join two elegant volutes, with three drops at the base, which support the sides of the lintel.

Following the funding received under the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), the Civic Art Gallery will be temporarily closed from October 16, 2023, for the start of renovation work, as stated in City Council Resolution No. 470 of October 3, 2023.

Reasons to visit:

One of the main art galleries in the region
Breathtaking masterpieces
Inspiring art

Opening hours:

from Tuesday to Friday 4pm-8pm
Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10am-7pm
Monday closed

Tickets

Full price €6.00
Reduced €3.00 (under 25, over 65, COOP Alleanza 2.0 members, groups of at least 15 people, holders of an entrance ticket to the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche)
Free (disabled people and companions, children under 14, ICOM members, MSC cruise passengers upon presentation of a boarding pass or equivalent, journalists and tourist guides with card, accompanying teachers)