House Museum Boschi Di Stefano

The Boschi Di Stefano House Museum is a hidden gem in the heart of Milan, located at Via Giorgio Jan 15. This unique museum offers an intimate look into the life and artistic passions of Antonio Boschi and Marieda Di Stefano, a couple of 20th-century art collectors who assembled one of the most important collections of Italian modern art. The building that houses the House Museum was designed by architect Piero Portaluppi between 1929 and 1931, a time of great architectural and cultural ferment in Milan. The palace reflects the taste for elegance and modernity of the time, with Art Deco architectural details and large windows that allow natural light to flood the interior spaces. Antonio Boschi, a native of Novara and an engineer by profession, and Marieda Di Stefano, a sculptor from Milan, met during a vacation in Val Sesia in 1926. From that moment, their union was not only personal but also deeply connected to their shared passion for art. Antonio, who worked for Pirelli, was a brilliant inventor, known for developing the “Giunto Boschi” (GIUBO), while Marieda dedicated herself to sculpture and ceramics, also founding a ceramics school in the same building that now houses their collection. The Boschi Di Stefano collection is extraordinary not only for the quality of the works, but also for its breadth. It includes over two thousand pieces, of which about three hundred are displayed in various rooms of the house. These pieces represent a journey through the history of Italian art of the 20th century, with works by prominent artists such as Umberto Boccioni, Mario Sironi, Giorgio de Chirico, Lucio Fontana, and many others. The exhibition path of the house-museum is organized chronologically and thematically, offering visitors an immersive experience. At the entrance, there are portraits of the Boschi spouses and Marieda’s ceramics. Moving on, you pass through a corridor with paintings by Gino Severini and Umberto Boccioni, until you reach the “Italian 20th Century Room,” which houses works by Achille Funi, Mario Sironi, Arturo Martini, and other prominent figures of the period. Each room is a tribute to a specific artist or artistic movement, such as the “Sironi Room” or the room dedicated to the “Corrente” group, with works by Renato Guttuso, Emilio Vedova, and others. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Boschi Di Stefano House Museum is the feeling of entering a still living home, where every corner tells stories of lived life and love for art. The original furnishings, photographs, and personal belongings of the Boschi Di Stefano contribute to creating an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, allowing visitors to deeply connect with the collectors and their world. The history of the collection is as interesting as the works it contains. After Marieda’s death in 1968, Antonio Boschi continued to collect art and, in 1974, decided to donate the entire collection to the Municipality of Milan. This generous gesture was followed by a second bequest at his death in 1988, thus completing a cultural heritage of immeasurable value for the city. From a historical and social perspective, the Boschi Di Stefano House Museum represents an illuminating example of private patronage and love for art that has been able to transform a personal passion into a common good. The decision to make the collection accessible to the public has allowed generations to admire masterpieces of Italian modern art and appreciate the importance of collecting as a form of preserving and promoting culture. Today, the Boschi Di Stefano House Museum is part of the circuit of House Museums in Milan, which also includes the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, Villa Necchi Campiglio, and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum. This circuit represents a unique opportunity to explore the history and art of Milan through historic homes and private collections that have been generously donated to the city.