Pollock and Rothko: a new exhibition in Milan

A massive exhibition of important American and international artists has come to Milan, and will display important contemporary artists the likes of Pollock and Rothko through early spring. More than an exhibition, it is an event organized by the city and taking place across multiple museums and many months. The city has partnered with the Rodin Museum and the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the National Museum of Natural History and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York to bring significant works by both Italian and international artists in order to encourage an artistic discussion.

Five primary exhibitions form the backbone of the art event. 60 masterpieces from the Whitney Museum in New York will be displayed in a room in the Royal Palace in Milan. Particularly notable is the loan of “Pollock Number 27,” a work so large that it typically is not loaned out to other museums and exhibitions. Rothko, de Kooning and Kline are other notable artists on display from the collection. The Whitney works are on display through February 16, 2014.

In “The Face of 900: From Matisse to Bacon,” 80 works from the Centre Pompidou in Paris are displayed through February 19, 2014. This exhibition tells the story of the change in style and character in human figure and portrait painting and represents a wealth of well-known artists, including Henri Matisse, Francis Bacon, Max Ernst, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso.

A significant collection of 60 works by artist and sculptor Auguste Rodin marks the first time a major study of French marble has been accomplished outside the Musée Rodin in Paris and is on display in Milan through January 26, 2014.

The second major display of works by American pop artists Andy Warhol is on display in Milan through March 2, 2014. Another major exhibition of Warhol’s work is on in Pisa, but this exhibition is unique because the monographic collection on display was dedicated to Peter Brant, who collected Warhol’s work.

Finally, Vassily Kandinsky’s collection from the Centre Pompidou is on display through May 4, 2014, with over 100 works illustrating Kandinsky’s talent as well as his relationships with his contemporaries.

Other exhibitions and events surround the major exhibitions. The city is something of a contrast to the focus on modern art; one of the most famous works of DaVinci, “The Last Supper,” is a highly notable artistic treasure in Milan. Having previously hosted artists such as photojournalist Steve McCurry and with a fashion week that rivals Paris, however, Milan is no stranger to exploring new territory. With such a notable collection of modern artists on display from collections in the US and France, Milan is definitely worth a visit.

Ellen Miller
Student in Florence and writer