The Casa Museo Ivan Bruschi is a museum in Arezzo. The seat of this “house museum” is the 14th century Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. The exhibition consists of the highly eclectic collection of art left by this antique dealer at his death.
Ivan Bruschi House Museum Arezzo
Address, opening times and admission
The address of the Casa Museo Ivan Bruschi is Corso Italia 14 – 52100 Arezzo (tel. +39 0575 – 354126). Bus: LFCS2. Opening hours: 10.00 to 19.00. Entrance fee: 5 Euro. Under 18s and over 65s: 3 Euro. Children under 6: Free.
History and description
Ivan Bruschi was a famous antique dealer from Arezzo and also the driving force behind the famous Fiera dell’Antiquariato, which has been held in the town every first Sunday of the month since 1968.
The objects on display come from all over the world and from different eras, starting with prehistory.
Bruschi started the collection in the 1960s and gradually added more and more paintings, sculptures, furniture, etc. There are more than 10,000 objects on display.
When he died in 1996, he bequeathed the entire collection to the city. After a necessary renovation, the museum consists of 16 rooms spread over two buildings and four floors.
Highlights Ivan Bruschi Museum Arezzo
One of the most beautiful objects in the museum is an ivory treasure chest dating back to the 15th century. The object was made by the Embriachi family, who were known for their usury practices. Dante did not like this and has a usurer wander through hell with the coat of arms of the family on his clothes.
Another highlight is an iron gutter in the shape of a grotesque monster. It dates from the 19th century and was originally used at a church. Churches used to make macabre decorations like this to contrast with the peaceful life inside the building.
In Tanagra in Greece, Tanagrina‘s were made, 10 cm large, very detailed statues of female figures. One of the most beautiful is on display in the Ivan Bruschi Museum.
Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo
The Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo itself is a perfect background for the collection. As can be deduced from the large number of coats of arms on its façade, it was one of Arezzo‘s most important buildings during the Middle Ages.