Monuments aren’t the only reason to visit Florence, there is also a great and ever-changing selection of temporary exhibits taking place across the city at major museums, private museums, and galleries that complement the base and monumental amount of works spread across the city. Often, it is the best way to see contemporary artists and works, an interplay between past and present.
As you plan your time in Florence over the upcoming months, make sure to check out and add a visit to museums to also get a chance to see these exhibits, many of which offer a more modern, contemporary air to the city.
OTTONE ROSAI. POETA INNANZITUTTO
Where: Museo Novecento
When: from March 7 to October 4, 2026
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: Closed
Cost: €13 full, €9 reduced, kids under 18 free
More info: museonovecento.it
The exhibition “Ottone Rosai. Poet Above All” at the Museo Novecento offers a deep dive into the life and work of Ottone Rosai, one of Florence’s most distinctive 20th-century artists. Bringing together works from the Rosai legacy and the Alberto Della Ragione collection for the first time, the show explores his close relationship with the city and its intellectual circles.
Through around 70 works, along with archival materials and letters, the exhibition highlights two central themes in Rosai’s art: intimate portraits of friends and fellow thinkers, and evocative views of Florence’s streets and landscapes - depicted not just as real places, but as emotional, almost poetic inner worlds. The result is a powerful portrait of an artist who transformed everyday life into something deeply human and reflective.
ROTHKO IN FLORENCE
Where: Palazzo Strozzi, Museo di San Marco, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana
When: from March 14 to August 23, 2026
Hours: 10am-8pm daily and every Thursday until 11pm
Cost: €15 full, €12 reduced, €5 kids 6-18, family tickets available
More info: palazzostrozzi.org
A major exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi celebrates Mark Rothko, one of the leading figures of modern art, from March 14 to August 23, 2026. Curated by Christopher Rothko and Elena Geuna, the show explores Rothko’s deep connection with Florence and its artistic heritage.
The exhibition traces Rothko’s entire career, from his early figurative works influenced by Expressionism and Surrealism to his iconic abstract paintings of the 1950s and 60s, known for their luminous fields of color and emotional intensity. Featuring over 70 works - many never before shown in Italy - loans come from major international institutions such as Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate, and Centre Pompidou.
The project extends beyond Palazzo Strozzi to include special installations at Museo di San Marco - where Rothko’s works are displayed in dialogue with frescoes by Fra Angelico - and at the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, where his paintings interact with the architectural space designed by Michelangelo.
BASELITZ. AVANTI!
Where: Museo Novecento
When: from March 25 to September 13, 2026
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: Closed
Cost: €13 full, €9 reduced, kids under 18 free
More info: museonovecento.it
The exhibition “Baselitz. AVANTI!” at Museo Novecento is a major retrospective dedicated to Georg Baselitz, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art. Created in collaboration with the artist’s studio, the show focuses in particular on his printmaking - an essential but often less-explored aspect of his work.
Spanning all three floors of the museum, the exhibition brings together around 170 works, including prints, paintings, and sculptures, offering a comprehensive look at over six decades of Baselitz’s radical artistic practice. Known for his provocative approach, most famously his upside-down figures, Baselitz challenges traditional visual conventions, emphasizing art as a process of disruption, transformation, and reinvention.
The exhibition also highlights Baselitz’s strong connection to Florence, where he spent time in the 1960s and later years, drawing inspiration from Mannerist masters such as Rosso Fiorentino, Domenico Beccafumi, and Jacopo da Pontormo.
TOULOUSE-LAUTREC. PARIS 1881–1901
Where: Museo degli Innocenti
When: September 27, 2025 – June 7, 2026
A fascinating exhibition dedicated to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec that transports visitors to Belle Époque Paris. Through posters, lithographs, and iconic works, the show captures the vibrant nightlife, cabarets, and energy of a rapidly changing modern city. A great alternative (or complement) to Florence’s Renaissance art scene.
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 1898–1960
When: October 27, 2025 – April 6, 2026
Info: museo.ferragamo.com/
A journey through the life and work of Salvatore Ferragamo, one of Italy’s most iconic fashion figures. The exhibition traces his career through beautifully crafted shoes, archival materials, and creations that highlight innovation, craftsmanship, and timeless style.
FRIDA KAHLO: AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Where: Cattedrale dell’Immagine
When: until March 29, 2026 - EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 19
An immersive multimedia experience dedicated to Frida Kahlo, combining art, music, and digital projections to tell the story of her life and creative world. A different kind of exhibition experience—ideal if you’re looking for something more interactive (but be quick, it’s in its final days).
Combine the fabulous art of Florence with a program of events and activities that will help introduce you to this wonderful city, click the month below to stay updated on the latest news.
Author's Note: This article was last updated on March 30, 2026 and is often updated; check back to see what is on as we keep adding new exhibitions as they open.
