Appiani, the Rediscovered Genius

Andrea Appiani, celebrated in his lifetime as Napoleon’s official painter and a visual poet of the Enlightenment, is now the focus of a long-overdue rediscovery. A central figure of Italian Neoclassicism, he created unforgettable portraits - from Giuseppe Parini to Empress Joséphine - and offered a refined interpretation of mythology, history, and political life between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The exhibition traces his full creative journey: from designs for the ephemeral celebratory displays of the Napoleonic government to monumental frescoes in the Royal Palace, now largely lost but evoked through engravings, sketches, and archival materials. Alongside his more renowned works, the exhibition highlights Appiani’s lesser-known role as a designer, author of official documents, medals, and exquisite furnishings - most notably Maggiolini’s extraordinary inlaid chests. A rich dialogue between institutions - Brera, the Ambrosiana, the Museo del Risorgimento, and major international collections - finally restores to Milan and the public the depth and brilliance of an artist who made the city a Neoclassical capital.