Mimmo Paladino: Present into Past

Sep 1, 2026 - Dec 13, 2026 | Temporary Galleries

Members Opening Event, Sunday, August 30, 2026

Internationally acclaimed artist Mimmo Paladino (b. 1948) is a leading figure of the Italian avant-garde. His paintings, sculptures, installations, films, prints, and illustrations are held in renowned public and private collections worldwide, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate Modern, and the Vatican Museums. He is also highly regarded for his site-specific commissions, which include the mosaic, stained-glass, and wall drawings of the Mary, Queen of Families Chapel at the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art.

Born and trained in southern Italy, Paladino first gained critical acclaim in the 1980s as a member of the Transavanguardia movement, whose artists sought a renewal of figurative art and a willingness to experiment with materials in the wake of successive waves of abstraction in America and Europe. Living briefly in New York, Paladino’s life and work have always maintained a close connection to Italy’s broad artistic heritage, its people, and traditions. Although commissions from the Vatican and the University of Notre Dame have focused attention on his liturgical work, Paladino’s oeuvre is vast; he explores history, literature, and dream imagery through his iconography, creative vision, and innovative use of materials.

This landmark exhibition, organized by the Raclin Murphy, examines the dynamism of Mimmo Paladino’s repertoire. An overview of Paladino’s career will introduce audiences to the artist’s repertoire and highlight his position within the currents of art history through his paintings and sculptures. Following that contextualization, the exhibition will illuminate the master’s fascination with literature and the art of the book in illustrations including his illustrations of the Roman Messale for Pope Francis. The final section will examine the commission and creation of the Mary, Queen of Families Chapel, including the premier presentation of Paladino’s unique handmade vestments that he has donated to the Museum and University. Although Paladino is not exclusively a religious artist, this exhibition highlights his commitment to the great humanistic and spiritual traditions that have shaped his work while also acknowledging the contribution his contemporary voice has added to the history of human civilization.

This exhibition is made possible with a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

---