Designer Sara Battaglia’s guide to Milan’s art scene

This article is part of a guide to Milan from FT Globetrotter

Art and creativity have always been part of my life. I grew up in a family of artists: my mother is a sculptor and teaches here in Milan at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, while one of my brothers is a gallery owner, the other a set designer and 3D artist, and my sister and I are creative directors, with me leading my namesake brand. There are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in art in Milan, even if you only have 24 hours.

In my opinion, to better understand contemporary art, it’s essential first to dive into the classical. The most prized artwork in Milan is undoubtedly Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”, located in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a church and convent that has been designated by Unesco as a World Heritage site. This world-famous mural captures a pivotal moment in Christian history and is a must-see for art enthusiasts.

Milan’s art scene extends beyond this masterpiece. The Pinacoteca di Brera is another cultural gem, featuring an impressive collection of Italian Renaissance art, including works by Caravaggio, Raphael and Tintoretto.

The Brera area is the heart the city. A new gallery has recently opened called MAD2, which showcases contemporary artists from around the world. Nearby is another gallery, Antonio Battaglia, specialising in artists from the 1960s and ’70s.

If you’re hungry, Brera is full of fantastic restaurants. One of my favourites for lunch or aperitivo during a cultural day out is the chic Il Consolare, a historic Milanese spot known for its excellent seafood dishes, where the Italian singer Mina is a frequent customer.

Moving areas, one of the most renowned galleries internationally is Lia Rumma, representing some of my favourite artists like Vanessa Beecroft, Marina Abramović, Anselm Kiefer and others. Its current exhibition (until July 13) reflects on the work of Tomás Maldonado, the Argentine artist and designer, and includes works by Piero Dorazio, Enzo Mari and Bruno Munari, among several others. Not far from this gallery is Nilufar by Nina Yashar, a fantastic venue for designer furniture.

With artists ranging from Carla Accardi to Bonalumi and Lucio Fontana, Cardi Gallery, which focuses on modern and contemporary Italian art, is always a recommendation from me — I find it very inspiring. After perusing its latest exhibition, I’ll often head for a drink not far from there on Corso Venezia — there’s a beautiful new bar with live music called Rumore, where you can also dine; it is part of the Beefbar restaurant next door.

Often, my inspirations for collections come from art, and a particularly special place for me is the Fondazione Prada, one of Milan’s most influential contemporary art spaces. Founded by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, this venue showcases avant-garde works and thematic exhibitions. Its current exhibition (until September 23) explores the work of the late Italian artist Pino Pascali, which continues to shape generations of artists today. (Torre restaurant at the Fondazione is also tremendously chic.)

I also get excited every time I go to the Pirelli HangarBicocca, a vast industrial space (it produced aeroplanes and other equipment for the first world war effort) that has been converted into one of Europe’s largest art venues. It’s an essential part of Milan’s contemporary art scene.

Triennale Milano, the design and art museum in the Parco Sempione area, is known for its contemporary design and architecture exhibitions but also hosts modern art exhibitions. The building itself is also beautiful, designed by famed Milanese architect Giovanni Muzio and built in the early 1930s. It also houses a lovely garden with a bar.

Another hidden gem worth knowing is Tommaso Calabro, a gallery that specialises in modern and contemporary art and features artists such as Giorgio de Chirico and Man Ray. It’s located in the Palazzo Marietti, which dates back to the 15th century.

What are your favourite art spaces in Milan? Tell us in the comments below. And follow FT Globetrotter on Instagram at @FTGlobetrotter

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