Origins and History of the Frugone Collection
The Frugone Collection is located in Genoa, Italy. It originated from the private acquisitions of two brothers, Lazzaro and Luigi Frugone. These collectors assembled a range of works that reflect the artistic shifts occurring between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, specifically covering the period from 1860 to 1930.
The transition of these holdings from private hands to public stewardship occurred in two stages. The brothers donated their collections to the Municipality of Genoa in 1935 and again in 1953. These contributions ensured that the paintings, sculptures, and drawings would remain accessible to the public.
Following these donations, the museum was established in 1993. It is currently housed within the Villa Grimaldi Fassio, a structure that provides the setting for the works gathered by the Frugone brothers.
The Villa Grimaldi Fassio Architecture
The museum is housed within the Villa Grimaldi Fassio, an 18th-century structure located in Genoa, Italy. The building's foundations rest upon a 16th-century palace, reflecting a layered architectural history. It is situated within the historic parks of Nervi, where the surrounding greenery provides a quiet setting for the collections.
The property underwent significant renovation in the 1960s, directed by the architect Luigi Carlo Daneri. Following these structural updates, the Municipality of Genoa purchased the villa in 1979. The site now functions as a dedicated space for the art collections donated by the Frugone brothers.
Artistic Works and Major Collections
The collection comprises a diverse selection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings, and objects. These works reflect a period spanning from the second half of the 19th century to the early 20th century. The holdings include significant contributions from Italian artists such as Giovanni Boldini, Giovanni Segantini, and Giovanni Fattori. These figures represent various movements, including the Macchiaioli and the Scapigliatura lombarda.
International influence is evident through the presence of Spanish and American works. The Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida is represented within the collection, alongside the American artist Richard Miller. The selection also features the works of Francesco Paolo Michetti and Antonio Mancini. These pieces contribute to a broad survey of European and international art from the era.
- Miss Bell, 1903 - Giovanni Boldini
- Shepherd boy in ciocie, 1883 - Antonio Mancini
- Portrait of a Lady in a Green Dress, 1900 - Colin Campbell Cooper
- Abruzzese girl, 1929 - Francesco Paolo Michetti
- Ligurian vegetation in Riomaggiore, 1894 - Telemaco Signorini
Masterpieces of the Frugone Collection
The collection contains significant examples of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century painting. Giovanni Boldini’s 1903 portrait, Miss Bell, is a central work within the holdings. Nearby, Antonio Mancini’s 1883 piece, Shepherd boy in ciocie, represents the era's approach to figurative subjects. The museum also holds Portrait of a Lady in a Green Dress, painted by Colin Campbell Cooper in 1900.
Landscape and regional studies are represented through works such as Telemaco Signorini’s Ligurian vegetation in Riomaggiore, dated 1894. Francesco Paolo Michetti’s Abruzzese girl, from 1929, provides a later perspective on social subjects. Additionally, the collection includes Tranquillo Cremona, Poor but Superb Museo Frugone Genova by Tranquillo Cremona.