The National Gallery of Umbria (GNU), located on the upper floors of Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia, is one of Italy’s most important museum institutions. It holds the largest collection of Umbrian art, offering a journey that spans more than eight centuries of artistic history, from the 13th to the 19th century. The museum is housed in a symbolic building of the city—Palazzo dei Priori—an outstanding example of Gothic civic architecture and the seat of the Municipality since the Middle Ages.
The origins of the GNU date back to the second half of the 16th century, with the founding of the Accademia del Disegno, which began collecting drawings and paintings. Following the suppression of religious orders between the 18th and 19th centuries, many works of art were transferred to the State, enriching the Academy's collection. In 1863, a civic art gallery named after Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino, was established. In 1878, the collection was moved to the third floor of Palazzo dei Priori. In 1918, it was renamed the Regia Galleria Vannucci, and eventually became the National Gallery of Umbria.
The mission of the GNU is to preserve, enhance, and promote the Umbrian artistic heritage, placing it within the broader context of Italian art. The museum is committed to making culture accessible to an increasingly wide audience through exhibitions, educational programs, and research projects. The GNU also fosters dialogue between the arts and contemporary society, encouraging the understanding and appreciation of art in all its forms.
The GNU's collection includes more than 3,000 works—paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and goldsmith objects. Featured artists include Arnolfo di Cambio, Duccio di Boninsegna, Gentile da Fabriano, Fra Angelico, Benozzo Gozzoli, Piero della Francesca, Perugino, Pinturicchio, Orazio Gentileschi, Pietro da Cortona, and many others. The exhibition route covers 40 rooms over two floors, for a total of 4,000 square meters.
In recent years, the GNU has expanded its cultural offerings with temporary exhibitions, conferences, and educational projects. Among the most notable exhibitions is The Enigma of the Master of San Francesco: The Stil Novo of 13th-Century Umbria, the first monographic exhibition dedicated to this anonymous artist active in 13th-century Umbria. The exhibition brought together around sixty works from major international museums and included a virtual reconstruction of the artist's contributions.
As of January 2024, the GNU is directed by Costantino D’Orazio, who has launched a renewal program aimed at strengthening the museum’s role as a dynamic and inclusive cultural hub. Upcoming initiatives include new collaborations with national and international institutions, digitalization of the collection, and the expansion of educational activities for diverse audiences.
In 2023, the Gallery hosted a major national exhibition marking the 500th anniversary of the death of the great artist Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino, which recorded record attendance. In the following months, in 2024 and 2025, exhibitions were dedicated to the Master of San Francesco and the theme "Nature in Art," featuring works by Fra Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Corot, and many other artists spanning several centuries of art history.
Donors
Frank Moore Bravo Dr Levine