The Pinacoteca di Brera houses one of Italy’s most significant collections of paintings, with works dating from the 13th to the 20th century. The gallery is especially known for its Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces, but also features important works from the Venetian, Lombard, and modern Italian schools. Visitors can expect to see altarpieces, portraits, and historical scenes, as well as sculptures and drawings. The collection is displayed across several rooms, each dedicated to a specific period or artistic movement.

What to look out for?

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Renaissance masterpieces

The gallery’s Renaissance section features works by artists such as Piero della Francesca, Andrea Mantegna, and Raphael. These paintings are celebrated for their technical innovation and emotional depth.

Venetian and Lombard schools

Paintings by Giovanni Bellini, Tintoretto, and Caravaggio highlight the evolution of color, light, and composition in northern Italy. The Lombard school is particularly well represented, reflecting Milan’s artistic heritage.

Baroque and neoclassical works

The Baroque collection includes dramatic canvases by Rubens and Van Dyck, while the Neoclassical rooms showcase works by Francesco Hayez and other 19th-century Italian artists.

Modern Italian art

The museum also features a selection of 20th-century works, including pieces by Modigliani and Morandi, offering a bridge between tradition and modernity.

Sculptures and drawings

In addition to paintings, the Pinacoteca di Brera displays a notable collection of sculptures and preparatory drawings, providing insight into the creative process of Italy’s greatest artists.

Pinacoteca di Brera artworks

Dead Christ

A striking example of Renaissance perspective and emotion, this painting is one of the gallery’s most iconic works.

Artist: Andrea Mantegna
Year: c. 1480
Location: Room 6

Supper at Emmaus

Caravaggio’s dramatic use of light and shadow brings this biblical scene to life.

Artist: Caravaggio
Year: 1606
Location: Room 28

The Marriage of the Virgin

A masterful composition that marks Raphael’s early genius.

Artist: Raphael
Year: 1504
Location: Room 24

Pietà

A moving depiction of grief and devotion, typical of Bellini’s Venetian style.

Artist: Giovanni Bellini
Year: c. 1460
Location: Room 5

Portrait of a Young Woman

A symbol of Italian Romanticism, this portrait is celebrated for its subtle emotion and technical skill.

Artist: Francesco Hayez
Year: 1851
Location: Room 37

St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria

A large-scale narrative painting that captures the cosmopolitan spirit of Renaissance Venice.

Artist: Gentile and Giovanni Bellini
Year: 1504–1507
Location: Room 7

The Kiss

A symbolic painting of Italian Romanticism and national identity meets technique.

Artist: Francesco Hayez
Year: c. 1859
Location: Room 37

Montefeltro Altarpiece

A masterwork of geometry, perspective and serene expression in the early Renaissance.

Artist: Piero della Francesca
Year: c. 1472–1474
Location: Room 24

The Finding of the Body of Saint Mark

A large‑scale, dramatic Venetian painting (Baroque lean) that shows the gallery’s rich collection beyond the purely Renaissance.

Artist: Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti)
Year: 1562‑1566
Location: Room 9

See beyond the canvas!

Skip surface-level visits. Let an expert reveal the secrets and genius behind 38 rooms of Italian masterpieces. Wrap it up with a neighborhood walk for a complete picture of Milanese history, all in just 2 hours.