Metaphysics/Metaphysics. Modernity and Melancholy
A major exhibition spread, curated by Vincenzo Trione, between the Royal Palace and iconic art venues in Milan
An exhibition project of international scope curated by Vincenzo Trione
Palazzo Reale hosts Metafisica/Metafisiche. Modernità e Malinconia,a major exhibition devoted to Metaphysical Art and its many reinterpretations within modern and contemporary visual culture. The project is curated by Vincenzo Trione, IULM professor and one of the leading scholars of twentieth-century art, who has conceived a wide-ranging and intellectually ambitious curatorial vision.
A multi-venue exhibition
project
The exhibition at Palazzo Reale is the core of a broader, city-wide project that unfolds across several of Milan’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Alongside Palazzo Reale, the exhibition extends to the Museo del Novecento, Grande Brera – Palazzo Citterio, and the Gallerie d’Italia, offering multiple exhibition chapters that explore Metaphysical Art across different artistic languages and historical moments.
Between painting, vision and melancholy
Rather than presenting Metaphysics solely as an artistic movement, the exhibition explores it as a way of thinking and seeing reality. The curatorial project focuses on the sense of enigma, suspension and estrangement that defines metaphysical imagery, highlighting its deep connection with modernity and its underlying melancholic dimension.
Opening and dates
The exhibitions will be inaugurated on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM, at Palazzo Reale, in the presence of representatives from cultural institutions and project partners.
Metafisica/Metafisiche. Modernità e Malinconia will be open to the public from January 28 to June 21, 2026.
The Electa catalogue
The exhibition is accompanied by an official catalogue published by Electa, featuring critical essays, scholarly texts and a rich visual selection. The publication offers an essential reference tool for researchers, students and art enthusiasts alike.