GAM – Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea

Overview

The Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GAM) is Italy's oldest museum devoted to modern art, founded in 1863. Its collection of over 47,000 works traces art history from the 18th century through Arte Povera to today, with particular strength in Italian modernism.

Highlights

• Arte Povera: Turin was the birthplace of this radical 1960s movement — the GAM holds seminal works by Merz, Pistoletto, and Penone.
• De Chirico and Fontana: Key works by Italian masters including Modigliani, De Chirico, and Fontana's iconic slashed canvases.
• Architect's building: The 1959 modernist pavilion by Carlo Bassi and Goffredo Boschetti is an artwork in itself.

History

Established as the Civico Museo d'Arte Moderna in 1863, it was among the first public museums in Europe dedicated exclusively to modern art. The collection was significantly enriched through the donations of Turin's industrialist families. The current building opened in 1959.

Visitor Tips

• Free first Tuesday: Free admission on the first Tuesday of each month.
• Gardens: The small sculpture garden is a peaceful interlude between gallery floors.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.