The Magnani-Rocca Foundation is one of the most important artistic institutions in Europe and is considered one of the most active museums for the significance of its exhibitions and the consistency of its cultural programming.

The Villa of Masterpieces in Mamiano di Traversetolo houses Luigi Magnani’s unique collection, featuring works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Goya, Titian, Dürer, De Chirico, Rubens, Van Dyck, Filippo Lippi, Carpaccio, Burri, De Pisis, Tiepolo, Canova, and the most significant collection of Giorgio Morandi. Nestled in the Parma countryside, the villa retains the timeless and sophisticated charm of its illustrious guests, with its neoclassical and Empire-style furnishings. It is surrounded by the Romantic Park, a large English garden featuring exotic plants, monumental trees, and magnificent white and colorful peacocks.

The Establishment of the Magnani-Rocca Foundation

The Magnani-Rocca Foundation was established in 1977 by Luigi Magnani (1906–1984), with the enthusiastic support of the Cassa di Risparmio di Parma, now Crédit Agricole Italia, to honor the memory of his father, Giuseppe, and his mother, Donna Eugenia Rocca. The Foundation aims to promote and develop cultural activities in the fields of art, music, and literature. On March 15, 1978, it was officially recognized as a private legal entity by a Presidential Decree.

Luigi Magnani entrusted the Foundation with the Villa of Mamiano, which was inaugurated as a museum in 1990, along with his art collection. This includes works by Gentile da Fabriano, Filippo Lippi, Carpaccio, Dürer, Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck, and, among modern artists, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, De Chirico, De Pisis, 50 works by Morandi, Burri, as well as sculptures by Canova and Bartolini. The celebrated masterpiece The Family of the Infant Don Luis by Francisco Goya is the emblem of a collection defined by its exceptional quality.

Inside the villa, the original placement of furnishings has been preserved as much as possible to retain the atmosphere of a lived-in home. Visitors can admire precious Empire-style furniture and objects, including the large malachite cup by Thomire—a gift from Tsar Alexander I to Napoleon—and furniture by Jacob. The restoration and transformation of the villa into a museum followed the most advanced international standards to ensure the perfect preservation of the artworks and to meet the requirements for hosting high-level temporary exhibitions.

The Magnani-Rocca Foundation serves as a cultural hub, not only for the visual arts but also for musical and literary activities, in keeping with the spirit of its founder, Luigi Magnani, who deeply appreciated the connections between various artistic expressions.