Museum Bocchi, Parma

Museum Bocchi (Museo Amedeo Bocchi) is dedicated to a famous artist of the 20th century, who was born here in Parma. A large number of works by the painter is collected here. These paintings were mostly donated to the museum. The institution has a simple goal – to acquaint the general public with the work of the artist, for whom Parma was a native city.

Artist and history of the museum

Amedeo Bocchi was born in 1883, and at the age of 12 he was enrolled in the local art institute. After his graduation, he studied in Rome, where he stayed to live and create. The main theme of his paintings were women, and the master had his own recognizable style. The favorite genre was a portrait, in which he achieved considerable success. He was married twice, and both times his wife died a few years later. He also lost his only daughter, and these personal tragedies left a notable mark on his future work. The artist died in 1976 in Rome.

The museum dedicated to the artist was opened in 1999. This event was preceded by the donation of the organization Fondazione Monte Parma of more than 200 works by the painter. Such generous contributions were made by his relatives, sister Rina Cabassi and niece Emilia Bocchi on May 14, 1999. Followed by 2 more donations made by the heirs of the artist on June 26, 2002 and June 9, 2009. In 2015, the museum was closed for reorganization, and was reopened for a visit on November 8 of the same year.

Exposition of the museum

The museum is housed in the old wing of the restored Sanvitale Palace. About 300 works are collected here, including oil paintings, pastels, watercolors, drawings, sketches and some sculptures. All the paintings are on movable metal panels. The museum route is organized in chronological order, and it is divided into 6 rooms.

1. Training. Pictures of the youthful period of creativity are represented here, among which there are many portraits of members of the Bocchi family. The picture Torre di San Giovanni a Parma, painted in 1898 at the age of 14 years is noteworthy.
2. Rita. This section is devoted to the artist's first wife, Rita, who died in 1909. She is depicted in many of his paintings from the period 1906-1908.
3. Masterpieces. This part of the exhibition includes the mature works of Amedeo in the styles of Art Nouveau and the Vienna Secession, as well as the portraits of his second wife Niccolina. The most notable paintings are Nella verandae and La colazione al mattino (1919).
4. Sketches. The sketches of the artist, connected with the anatomy, both female and male are collected here. There are also several sculptures.
5. Bianca. The section is dedicated to his daughter Bianca, who died in 1934 of tuberculosis. Here are some of her portraits of the period 1910-1930.
6. Loneliness. The last part of the exhibition contains works created by the artist in the last decades of his life at the Villa Strohl-Fern in Rome. The main themes are landscapes, religious subjects and social life.

In addition to the main route, the museum also has a large hall for temporary exhibitions and free training seminars.

How to get there

The museum is located in the historical center of Parma, on Strada Cairoli Street 12. The old quarters with beautiful historical buildings are situated nearby, as well as Piazza Duomo with the Baptistery and the Diocesan Museum. The nearest bus stop, Prefettura, is located 4 minutes from the museum. It can be reached by routes 3, 4, 4N, 5, 8.

Opening hours: from 10:30 to 13:00. Monday is the day off. Phone numbers: (+39) 0521 234166, (+39) 0521203412.

Free admission.