by InTrieste
In a gesture that underscores the enduring bond between private passion and public stewardship, Antonio Cattaruzza, a prominent Trieste-born engineer and art collector, has donated his private collection of 196 works to the Regional Authority for Cultural Heritage of Friuli Venezia Giulia (ERPAC FVG). Valued for its exceptional breadth and significance, the collection features works by luminaries such as Picasso, Miró, Max Ernst, and Fernand Léger, alongside celebrated regional and national artists.
Announced on December 2 by Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the donation represents a milestone in cultural philanthropy. “This extraordinary act of generosity ensures that these treasures will remain accessible to the public and preserved as part of our collective heritage,” Fedriga said at a press conference.
The collection includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other media, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. It reflects Trieste’s historic role as a cultural crossroads, with works by regional artists such as Marcello Dudovich and Giorgio Celiberti, as well as figures from Austria and Slovenia, nodding to the city’s Mitteleuropean ties.
Key highlights of the collection include Picasso’s Satyr and Ernst’s The Queen, which alone affirm its international stature. A portion of the collection will be permanently displayed in a new regional headquarters in Porto Vecchio, set to open in the coming years.
Cattaruzza, who spent decades curating the collection through meticulous research and personal connections, cited a desire to give back to his community. “This is my way of ensuring that these works continue to inspire and educate, reaching beyond the walls of private ownership,” he remarked.
The donation was formalized earlier this year and will be delivered in phases through 2026. ERPAC FVG has pledged to preserve and promote the collection, with plans for exhibitions, educational programs, and a full catalog slated for 2025.
In an era when public institutions often struggle to secure funding for the arts, Cattaruzza’s gift is a powerful reminder of the impact of private philanthropy. By entrusting his life’s work to a public entity, he has ensured that his vision will endure, enriching Italy’s cultural landscape for generations to come.
