la grande brera: milan's pinacoteca di brera rebrands as part of multi-site museum complex

la grande brera: a rebranding by Qubit Group & Carmi e Ubertis

La Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s most important art galleries, has launched a rebranding initiative dubbed La Grande Brera. Created by the Qubit Group with creative agency Carmi e Ubertis, the project encompasses a new visual identity (image and logo), which also includes Palazzo Citterio, and the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense. This initiative strengthens the connection between all the institutions within the Brera complex and is built around a central symbol: the octagon, a recurring geometric figure that greets visitors at the entrance of the Courtyard of Honor in the Pinacoteca di Brera, and which can also be found in other spaces of the architectural complex, such as the courtyard of Palazzo Citterio.

all images: stills, La Grande Brera | courtesy Pinacoteca di Brera

an overview of la pinacoteca di brera

As La Grande Brera depicts so clearly in the launch video, the historical influence of the Pinacoteca is etched unto every corner. Established in 1776 by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria as part of a broader cultural project for Milan, the Italian landmark was initially conceived as an educational resource for the adjacent Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera), meant to offer students access to exemplary works of art. The academy and the gallery are both housed in the Palazzo di Brera, a 14th-century building originally constructed as a Jesuit college.

La Grande Brera reveals a rebranding initiative for the historical complex

The Pinacoteca di Brera is renowned for its Italian Renaissance art, particularly the works of the Venetian, Lombard, and Tuscan schools. Some of the most famous pieces in its collection include: The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael, Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio, Pietà by Giovanni Bellini, The Dead Christ by Andrea Mantegna, and the Finding of the Body of St. Mark by Tintoretto. Beyond Renaissance art, the gallery also has a rich selection of Baroque and later works, including pieces by Rubens and Rembrandt.

using the octagon as a central symbol in the new visual identity

The Pinacoteca bu Brera is part of a broader cultural and historical complex, which includes: The Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera), the Braidense National Library (Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense), the Astronomical Observatory (Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera), and the Brera Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico di Brera). Today, it plays a major role in both the Italian and international art worlds. It has been an influential center for the study of art history and conservation, with ongoing efforts to expand its collection and engage the public through exhibitions and cultural projects — as seen with La Grande Brera initiative.

Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense