PICCAIA
MUSEUM
A PERMANENT COLLECTION AT VILLA PORTO RAPALLO
Villa Porto Rapallo is proud to be the permanent home of the Piccaia Museum, an evolving collection of contemporary works by internationally exhibited Italian-Swiss artist Giorgio Piccaia.
Created through the shared vision of Lisa Pelloso and Simon Catt, the museum was conceived as the world’s first Drive-In Art Gallery—a distinctive cultural space where art, architecture and the beauty of the Italian Riviera come together. More than a gallery, it is an integral part of the villa’s identity, offering guests an immersive artistic experience throughout their stay.
MEET THE ARTIST
Born in Geneva in 1955, Giorgio Piccaia is an Italian-Swiss contemporary artist who lives and works in northern Italy. Raised in an artistic family, he was immersed in the creative circles of Geneva and Milan from an early age, following in the footsteps of his father, renowned twentieth-century artist Matteo Piccaia.
His artistic philosophy was shaped by influential encounters with John Cage and Jerzy Grotowski, whose emphasis on stripping away the non-essential and embracing simplicity continues to define his work today. After studying under Corrado Levi at the Faculty of Architecture in Milan, Piccaia transitioned from performance art to painting and visual arts.
Since 2018, his work has centred on the Fibonacci sequence, transforming numbers into a meditative visual language that explores harmony, repetition and the hidden patterns found throughout nature. Today, his work is exhibited internationally, with Villa Porto Rapallo proudly home to the permanent Piccaia Museum.
At the heart of Giorgio Piccaia’s work lies the Fibonacci sequence—one of nature’s most recognisable mathematical patterns. Rather than treating numbers as calculations, Piccaia transforms them into a visual language, writing and rewriting each sequence in a meditative process that explores harmony, balance and the interconnectedness of the natural world.
As Giorgio explains:
“I use numbers as if they were pictograms. I write and rewrite them following the infinite Fibonacci sequence. A form of non-repetition, a mantra leading towards the creation of the Great Work, in search of harmony and peace.”
Through canvas, papyrus, plexiglass and paper, mathematics becomes poetry, revealing the quiet rhythms that connect art, nature and the universe.
THE LANGUAGE OF NUMBERS
Giorgio Piccaia, Blue See Relic, acrylic on plexiglas, cm 45x35 6/6
THE PICCAIA MUSEUM AT VILLA PORTO RAPALLO
The permanent collection comprises 36 original works, including monumental canvases, sculptures, papyrus works, acrylics, paintings on plexiglass and works on paper.
The museum’s dedicated underground gallery has been transformed with professional museum lighting to showcase many of the larger pieces, while additional artworks are thoughtfully displayed throughout the villa’s shared spaces. Together, they create a journey that unfolds naturally as guests explore the property, with every piece connected by Giorgio Piccaia’s enduring fascination with the Fibonacci sequence.
Giorgio Piccaia, Secret Nature Three, 2023, acrylic on plexiglas, cm. 90x70. 1/6.jpg
ART BEYOND THE GALLERY
The Piccaia Museum is more than a permanent exhibition—it is a living creative space. Throughout selected residencies, guests have the opportunity to meet Giorgio Piccaia and take part in exclusive painting workshops, discovering how numbers, colour and nature come together to create harmony.
Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply curious to explore your creativity, these intimate sessions offer a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Italy’s most distinctive contemporary artists while surrounded by the beauty of Villa Porto Rapallo.
Awaken your creativity with artist-in-residence Giorgio Piccaia at Villa Porto Rapallo. Set against the elegance of the villa and the inspiration of the Riviera, these intimate workshops explore technique, colour, and composition while encouraging your own artistic expression. Whether you’re new to painting or looking to refine your skills, Giorgio’s guidance makes the experience both enriching and unforgettable.
Details
Minimum 3 participants, maximum 5
Price is per person, per day
All materials provided
Take home more than memories — leave with your own artwork, created under the guidance of a master, and a deeper connection to Liguria’s timeless beauty.