Thaddaeus Ropac, a major European blue-chip gallery, opened its seventh location in Milan in January 2025, occupying a prime palazzo previously home to Massimo de Carlo and Peres Projects. The inaugural exhibition pairs Georg Baselitz and Lucio Fontana in a show titled "L’aurore viene." The move has reignited debate about whether Milan is finally poised to become a contemporary art capital, despite past false starts and the city's stronger identity as a fashion and design hub.
This matters because Ropac's expansion signals a strategic bet on Milan's potential as an art market destination, driven by Italy's tax incentives for foreign nationals and the UK's recent tax changes that may drive wealthy collectors to Lombardy. However, skepticism remains among local gallerists who question whether the influx of new wealth will translate into contemporary art buyers. The article also highlights Ropac's possible focus on Milan's deep secondary market, including seasoned collectors of post-war Italian art and Arte Povera, as well as artist foundations and estates.