Palazzo Bianco (White Palace)

Palazzo Bianco (White Palace)

Friends who see this name for the first time must not misunderstand — this White Palace is not the one in Washington, D.C. This White Palace is an important building located in the center of Genoa, northern Italy, at No. 11 on Via Garibaldi (formerly known as Via Nuova). It houses a large municipal art gallery, and together with the nearby Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Doria Tursi, forms a museum complex at the end of the street.

The White Palace was built between 1530 and 1540 by Luca Grimaldi, a member of one of Genoa’s most prominent families. In 1658, it came into the possession of the Franzi family. Between 1714 and 1716, the new owners rebuilt the structure according to the tastes of the time. Due to the bright color of its exterior, it earned the name “White Palace.” In 1899, the last member of the family, Galliera, donated it to become a public art gallery. After 1887, the collection was enriched through the acquisition of numerous private collections. Orlando Grosso, Caterina Marcenaro, and architect Franco Albini curated the reorganization of the collection and the post-war reconstruction of the palace, also transferring sculptures and frescoes from other galleries.

Palazzo Bianco showcases a panoramic view of European painting from the 12th to the 17th century, featuring works by painters from Genoa, Flanders, France, and Spain. Pieces from the 13th to 16th centuries include works by Barnaba da Modena, Ludovico Brea, and Luca Cambiaso. 16th-century paintings feature artists from the Venetian school such as Paolo Veronese, as well as Florentine artist Filippino Lippi. Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries include masterpieces such as Peter Paul Rubens’ “Mars and Venus” and Anthony van Dyck’s “Vertumnus and Pomona.”

Palazzo Bianco

Must-visit reason: One of Genoa’s most renowned art galleries

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Italy[Italy]

Province/State: Liguria Region [Liguria Region]

City: Genoa [Genoa]