The art collection that belonged to Mario De Micheli and his wife Ada represents a significant testimony to the visual culture of the twentieth century. It includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, and graphic works by numerous leading figures of the twentieth-century art scene.

The collection coherently reflects De Micheli’s critical and intellectual profile, following the careers of the artists he most thoroughly studied and supported. In many cases, the works were personal gifts, received through longstanding relationships of mutual respect and friendship with several key figures in the Italian art world. Among these are, notably, Renato Guttuso, Aldo Carpi, Franco Francese, Floriano Bodini, Gianni Dova, Piero Leddi, and Tino Vaglieri.

Preserved at Palazzo Bassi Rathgeb, the collection is distinguished by a strong presence of figurative artworks, attesting to De Micheli’s critical interest in visual languages grounded in reality and civic engagement.

The collection is currently undergoing study and cataloguing.