From Picasso to Munch, all the exhibitions not to be missed in Milan in autumn

The arrival of autumn sees Milan transformed into a leading cultural stage, ready to welcome exhibitions of all kinds. We find exhibitions dedicated to great names of the past and contemporary installations, for an offer so varied that it can truly satisfy everyone, from art enthusiasts to younger kids.

Here are some of the unmissable exhibitions that will characterize the Milanese autumn of 2024.

Picasso the stranger – Royal Palace (from 20 September 2024 to 2 February 2025)

The Milanese autumn opens with an exhibition dedicated to one of the most famous artists of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso. “Picasso the Stranger”, set up at the Royal Palace, will introduce us to a previously less known aspect of the Spanish artist’s life, which concerns his always feeling like an outsider, even in France, the country that adopted him: protagonist of the Parisian art scene , Picasso never obtained French citizenship and lived under constant surveillance by the authorities, checked as an anarchist and forced to periodically register with fingerprints. The exhibition includes over 80 works, letters, photographs and videos by the Spanish artist. Here for more information.

Munch. The inner cry – Royal Palace (from 14 September 2024 to 26 January 2025)

Another great protagonist of the Milanese autumn is Edvard Munch, with the exhibition “The inner cry” also at Palazzo Reale. Famous above all for “The Scream”, Munch is considered one of the fathers of Expressionism. The exhibition, organized to mark the 80th anniversary of the Norwegian artist’s death, presents over 100 masterpieces from the Munch museum in Oslo. Through the unmistakable use of colors and shapes, the artist explored the darkest human emotions, such as anxiety, fear and loneliness, pouring into faceless figures and disturbing landscapes the inner malaise that devoured him. The exhibition is a journey into the mind of a tormented artist, one of the most complex of the 20th century. Here for more information.

Ugo Mulas. The photographic operation – Royal Palace (from 10 October 2024 to 2 February 2025)

For lovers of photographic art, the Milanese autumn has to offer the works of Ugo Mulas, one of the most influential Italian photographers of the post-war period. The exhibition “The photographic operation”, also at Palazzo Reale, collects more than 300 shots that immortalize the most important events in the art and society of the twentieth century. Mulas was a critical witness of his time, who dealt with artists such as Giacometti, Pasolini and Montale, even dedicating a series of photographs of the cuttlefish bones to the latter. The exhibition covers the many faces of his career, from art to fashion, up to the narration of the Italian economic boom. Here for more information.

Niki De Saint Phalle – Mudec Museum of Cultures (from 5 October 2024 to 16 February 2025)

Moving from the photographic language to the sculptural one, the Mudec hosts the exhibition of Niki De Saint Phalle, one of the most multifaceted and original artists of the twentieth century. Famous for her Nanas, colorful and generously shaped female figures, Saint Phalle was a pioneer in exploring themes such as femininity and identity through provocative and joyful art. The exhibition at Mudec offers a journey that goes from his most “destructive” works, created to exorcise childhood traumas, to the colorful and pop sculptures that marked his artistic maturity. Here for more information.

Jean Tinguely – Pirelli HangarBicocca (from 10 October 2024 to 2 February 2025)

We cannot talk about Niki De Saint Phalle without mentioning Jean Tinguely, her life partner and artistic collaborator. Pirelli HangarBicocca dedicates a major retrospective to Tinguely, the largest held in Italy after his death. Famous for Useless Machines, Tinguely built complex mechanical sculptures, made of waste materials, which challenged artistic and social conventions. The exhibition is a unique opportunity to learn about and enter the rebellious and visionary world of one of the greatest protagonists of Nouveau Réalisme. Here for more information.

Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Lampo Scalo Farini (until 27 October 2024)

Milan in autumn also ensures another type of experience, more modern and immersive. The exhibition “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage” is one of these: hosted at the Lampo Scalo Farini, this exhibition guarantees an unprecedented narrative on the tragic story of the Titanic, and through full-scale reconstructions, 3D animations and advanced technologies, the visitor will be transported back over time and will be able to experience firsthand the last moments of the most famous ship in history. It is an exhibition that combines history and technology, offering an emotional reflection on the impact of the event, a virtual journey that will take us to the wreck of the ship, still lying on the ocean floor, over three kilometers deep. Here for more information.

Space Dreamers – Piazza Beccaria (until 31 December 2024)

If space is the new frontier, Milan could only welcome it in style. The “Space Dreamers – Immersive Experience” exhibition, on display in Piazza Beccaria, will take visitors on an extraordinary journey through the universe. Made up of 16 interactive installations, the exhibition will allow you to explore galaxies, stars and planets in a creative and engaging way: people will be able to try the infinity room, the 4D simulations, the space disco and many other surprises, which will allow them to learn about the fascination of the cosmos thanks to technology. Here for more information.

BARBIE: A Cultural Icon EXHIBITION – Next Area (from September 13, 2024 to January 19, 2025)

The exhibition “Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition” pays homage to the 65 years of the famous doll, now in better shape than ever and fresh from the successes of the film of the same name. With over 250 vintage dolls, accessories and iconic scenarios, the exhibition starts from the beginning, with the first creations of 1959, and goes through the entire history of the brand, up to the Barbie of 2024. Click here for more information.

Meriem Bennani. For My Best Family – Fondazione Prada (from 31 October 2024 to 24 February 2025)

We close our tour with a contemporary project with an international flavor: Meriem Bennani arrives at the Prada Foundation with a new commission entitled “For My Best Family”. Bennani is a Moroccan artist who mixes reality and fiction, in this case through an installation that reflects the complexity of the modern world through the use of everyday objects and animations. His most anticipated work, “Sole crushing”, transforms simple flip-flops into a chaotic mechanical ballet, in order to evoke the interconnected dynamics of global society. Here for more information.

Don’t want to miss our news?