A religious painting by the Venetian Renaissance master Titian that had never previously been exhibited publicly is at the centre of a new display at Milan’s Museo Poldi Pezzoli. The exhibition, Un Tiziano per Milano, runs until 25 January 2027 and explores the painter’s connections with the city.
A Madonna seen by the public for the first time
The painting, Madonna and Child with Saint Mary Magdalene, dates to approximately 1540–1550 and comes from a private collection on long-term loan. According to Vatican News, the display also examines the contributions of Titian’s workshop, including passages attributed to his collaborator Girolamo Dente.
Faith, history and artistic discovery
The exhibition brings the devotional image into conversation with other works and historical evidence of Titian’s presence in Milan. Diagnostic investigation revealed a painted-over bearded figure beneath the image of Mary Magdalene, raising questions about the work’s original commission.
Curated by Enrico Maria Dal Pozzolo and Lavinia Galli, the display also provides a route to other Milanese locations connected with Titian’s legacy. It offers visitors interested in Christian art an opportunity to examine both Renaissance devotion and the collaborative practices of an artist’s workshop.
