Rimoldi Museum in Cortina d'Ampezzo between art and history
The Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art is an important museum in Cortina d'Ampezzo with a unique collection of 20th century Italian and European works.
What is the Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art and why is it famous?
The Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art is one of the most important Italian museums dedicated to the 20th century. Located in the heart of Cortina d'Ampezzo, it houses a unique collection that tells over fifty years of history of Italian and European art. The museum was established in 1974 thanks to the donation of Rosa Braun, widow of collector Mario Rimoldi, to the Regole d'Ampezzo.
The collection is considered one of the richest of the 20th century: it includes works by artists such as de Pisis, de Chirico, Morandi, Campigli, Sironi, Semeghini, Rosai, and many other protagonists of modern art. Over the years, the collection has expanded to include abstract, experimental works and international artists, making the museum a reference point for scholars, enthusiasts, and tourists.
Who are the most important artists present in the Rimoldi Museum and what works can be admired?
The museum hosts masterpieces by Italian artists who marked the 20th century. Many of them were visitors to Cortina and friends of collector Rimoldi.
Among the most representative Italian artists are:
Filippo de Pisis, present with iconic works such as the Church of Cortina and the French Soldier.
Giorgio de Chirico, master of metaphysics.
Mario Sironi, a protagonist of 20th century Italy.
Massimo Campigli, with the famous Concert.
Renato Guttuso, with the work The Zolfara.
Arturo Martini, Tosi, Garbari, Semeghini, Tomea, and many others.
The collection also includes international artists such as:
Oskar Kokoschka,
Fernand Léger,
Jacques Villon,
Ossip Zadkine.
Each room displays works that narrate the artistic evolution of the first half of the 20th century up to the avant-gardes of the 1950s. The variety of techniques, subjects, and movements represented makes the visit rich and surprising.
What is the history of the Rimoldi collection and how has it formed over time?
The Rimoldi collection was born from the personal passion of Mario Rimoldi, a collector from Cortina who, already in the 1930s, maintained relationships with the main artists of the time. Many of them stayed in the Ampezzo Valley and established a relationship of trust and friendship with Rimoldi.
In 1941, the first Exhibition of Contemporary Art Collections opened in Cortina, and the Rimoldi collection was already well defined, with top-notch works. After the war, Mario Rimoldi further expanded the collection by acquiring experimental works and emerging artists.
The collection also grew thanks to the collector's increasing interest in Venetian figurative movements and the new avant-gardes that were emerging nationally and internationally.
In 1974, with the official donation to the Regole d'Ampezzo, the museum was established, and since then its importance has been recognized by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, which declared it a collection of national cultural interest.
Which works from the Rimoldi collection are considered fundamental for the history of 20th century Italian art?
Some exhibited works are considered true milestones of 20th century Italian art. Among these stand out:
The Church of Cortina by de Pisis, a luminous work deeply linked to the territory.
The French Soldier, also by de Pisis, an example of his delicate and poetic style.
The Bathers by Carena, elegant and harmonious.
The Squero di San Travaso by Semeghini, one of his best-known works.
The Zolfara by Guttuso, a powerful social testimony.
Saint Sebastian by Garbari, of great expressive intensity.
Ile des Charmes by Savinio, rich in symbolism.
Concert by Campigli, one of the most representative works of his production.
These works make the museum an essential place to understand the evolution of Italian art in the 20th century, from figurative movements to abstract experiments.
Where is the Mario Rimoldi Museum of Modern Art located and how can you get there on foot?
The museum is located in the Ciasa de ra Regoles, an elegant building in the very center of Cortina d'Ampezzo, along the famous Corso Italia, just a few steps from the Parish Church.
The simplest and most practical way to reach the museum is on foot. Visitors can leave their car in one of the parking lots around the pedestrian center and then proceed on foot towards Corso Italia.
From the bus station, the museum is only a 5-minute walk away: just walk along Via Stazione and then Largo Poste, until you reach the pedestrian island in the center. The route is short and well-signposted, perfect even for those unfamiliar with Cortina.
Thanks to its central location, visiting the museum is also convenient for those who want to combine the visit with a walk among boutiques, cafes, and symbolic places of the locality.
How much does it cost to visit the Rimoldi Museum and what tickets are available?
The museum offers different types of tickets to suit every type of visitor.
Single tickets:
Full admission: €8.00
Reduced admission: €5.00
Combined ticket for the three Museums of the Regole:
Full: €12.00
Reduced: €8.00
Family ticket for the Rimoldi Museum:
Two adults + one or more children: €15.00
The combined ticket is particularly convenient for those who wish to visit the other museums of the Regole d'Ampezzo and discover the history, nature, and culture of the area.
The museum also offers temporary exhibitions throughout the year included in the ticket price, making each visit a new and complete experience.