Milan is an Italian city in every sense. It offers old world charm in its medieval buildings, sophistication in its fine cuisine, and a futuristic approach to fashion. In addition to these, Milan holds several museums devoted to the appreciation and enjoyment of art, both Italian and otherwise. Below are profiles of some of the museums and how the Milanese have made fashion a form of art.

Historical Art Galleries in Milan

There are several different art galleries that you can experience in the beautiful city of Milan. There is the Brera Art Gallery, the Ambrosiana Art Gallery, the Triennale Decorative Art Shows, and the Casa degli Omenoni. This handful of popular museums and galleries all feature examples across a range of artistic periods and include some of the more well known masters, such as Rafael, da Vinci and Leoni.

Contemporary and Modern Art Museums

There are two museums in Milan designated for the appreciation of contemporary and modern art. The first is the Villa Reale and Civica Galleria d’Arte Moderna. This gallery holds 19th and 20th century art from both Italian artists as well as from other nations. The museum itself is located in a 1790s “Neo-classical villa.” Featured artworks hail from such well known artists as Grassi, Picasso, Vismara, Matisse and more.

The next museum on the list is the Civico Museo d’Arte Contemporanea-the Civic Museum of Contemporary art. These include two main sections-20th century art to the 1950s, which includes Balla, Morandi, Fontana and more, and then an exhibit of Italian art from 1950 and beyond. This includes Burri, Vedova and Jucker.

Only Found in Milan: Fashion as Art

Many people may watch the video clips of models walking down the runway and not think anything about the clothing, the models, the hair or the makeup. But to Milan’s fashion lovers, Milanese fashion equals Milanese artistry. The designers are artists, the hair and make-up designers are artists, and the models themselves are the canvases on which this art is masterfully displayed. In his travel writings, Jake Biddington speaks of this “fashion as art” phenomenon. He claims “In contemporary Milan, fashion holds the creative spotlight.” This unique perspective is Milan’s to own.