A journey through modern art

The GNAM traces two centuries of art, from Neoclassicism through the avant-gardes to the late twentieth century. Among its roughly 20,000 works, here are the ones you can't miss on your visit.

Antonio Canova — Hercules and Lichas

The quintessential Neoclassical masterpiece: the towering sculptural group Hercules and Lichas captures the violent, dramatic instant in which the hero hurls the young Lichas into the void. It's one of the first works you meet, and reason enough for the visit on its own.

Gustav Klimt — The Three Ages of Woman

One of the museum's best-loved works: The Three Ages of Woman by Gustav Klimt is a refined, melancholy painting marked by the Viennese artist's unmistakable gold and decorative touch. The chance to see a Klimt in Italy is a rare one.

Vincent van Gogh

The GNAM holds a painting by Van Gogh from his French period: one of the very few canvases by the artist in Italy, and so an essential stop for art lovers.

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The Italian avant-gardes

  • Giacomo Balla and Umberto Boccioni — the dynamism of Futurism.
  • Amedeo Modigliani — those unmistakable portraits with elongated faces.
  • Giorgio de Chirico — the enigmas of Metaphysical painting.

The GNAM is the best place in Rome to understand how Italian art stepped into the twentieth century.

Art of the late twentieth century

The route continues with the great Italian and international names of the postwar era: Lucio Fontana and his famous slashes, Jackson Pollock and Abstract Expressionism, alongside Macchiaioli, Impressionists and other presences that make the collection surprisingly varied.

How to plan your visit

If you're short on time, follow this order of priority:

  1. Canova (Hercules and Lichas)
  2. Klimt (The Three Ages of Woman)
  3. Van Gogh
  4. The Italian avant-gardes (Balla, Boccioni, Modigliani, de Chirico)
  5. The late twentieth century (Fontana, Pollock)

In 1.5–2 hours you'll take in the masterpieces at a relaxed pace.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most famous work at the GNAM? Among the best known are Canova's Hercules and Lichas and Klimt's The Three Ages of Woman; the latter is one of the museum's most photographed and beloved works.

Is there a Van Gogh at the GNAM? Yes, the GNAM holds a Van Gogh painting from his French period: one of the very few canvases by the artist in Italy.

Which twentieth-century artists can you see at the GNAM? Balla, Boccioni, Modigliani and de Chirico for the Italian avant-gardes; Fontana and Pollock for the late twentieth century, plus many other Italian and international names.

How much time do you need to see the main works? Around 1.5–2 hours lets you take in the masterpieces and a good share of the twentieth-century avant-gardes at a relaxed pace.

Is the GNAM suitable for people who aren't art experts? Yes: the route is clear and the masterpieces (Canova, Klimt, Van Gogh) are instantly recognizable and captivating even for those who don't know modern art.

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Article #265 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026