‘L’operazione fotografica’ by Ugo Mulas caputres mid-20th Century Milan and its artists

“By working on the relationship between the city’s structure, objects, and people, I thought of a project I’ve wanted to pursue for a long time: a work on the city where I live, Milan (…). My idea isn’t a book, but an archive, a photographic archive of the city of Milan”. This vision by Ugo Mulas comes to life from October 10, 2024, to February 2, 2025, at Palazzo Reale with the exhibition L’operazione fotografica, one of the most comprehensive retrospectives dedicated to him. Promoted by the City of Milan and produced by Palazzo Reale and Marsilio Arte in collaboration with the Ugo Mulas Archive, with the support of Fondazione Deloitte and Deloitte Italia, the exhibition offers a complete re-examination of Mulas’ work, a tribute from the city with over 300 images—many previously unseen—vintage prints, documents, books, and films. This extensive collection covers Mulas’ entire career, from theatre and fashion to portraits of international artists from American Pop art, intellectuals, architects, and cultural figures like Dino Buzzati, Giorgio De Chirico, Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, and many others. The thematic chapters of the exhibition reveal a photographer deeply engaged with a wide array of subjects throughout his intense, albeit brief, career, where photography serves as more than mere documentation but a critical interpretation of reality.

Ugo Mulas, Joan Miro, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milano, 1963

Curated by Denis Curti, Director of ‘Le Stanze della Fotografia’ in Venice, and Alberto Salvadori, Director of the Ugo Mulas Archive, the exhibition takes an innovative approach with Milan as its central narrative. Over 250 photographs, many never exhibited before, along with rare vintage prints, documents, books, and films, revisit Mulas’ entire oeuvre.

“This retrospective is not only a tribute to a great photographer but also to a man who captured and conveyed the essence of this ever-evolving city,” said Culture Councillor Tommaso Sacchi. Mulas’ work will also be featured in the new permanent display at the Museo del Novecento, reflecting his interpretation of Milan’s artistic life during pivotal years for the city. Key institutions like the Pinacoteca di Brera, Museo del Novecento, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, and Fondazione Marconi will showcase a selection of Mulas’ works, creating a city-wide itinerary that highlights the most important places in his life and work, continuing the journey beyond Palazzo Reale.

Ugo Mulas, Tessuti Taroni, 1970

Ugo Mulas’ deep connection with Milan is evident in his earliest 1953 shots of the Brera neighbourhood and the iconic Bar Jamaica, where intellectuals and artists gathered, as well as in his documentation of the city’s outskirts, the Central Station, and everyday moments. His visual documentation offers invaluable insight into that period’s cultural and artistic history, mirroring Milan’s socio-economic boom in the mid-20th century. His photography is a testament to his ability to interpret the world through his lens. With its constant transformation, Milan provides the perfect backdrop for this introspective journey into the creative act, which Mulas himself described as a genuine “cognitive operation,” far more than just capturing an image.

For the first time, the exhibition also presents a section dedicated to prominent figures in Milanese design and architecture, such as Gae Aulenti, Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Vittorio Gregotti, and Gio Ponti, alongside images of artist and sculptor Fausto Melotti, one of Mulas’ close friends.

Ugo Mulas, Giulio Castelli, 1967

“The Photographic Operation” takes its title from one of Mulas’ most significant series, Le Verifiche (1968-1972), a set of fourteen images reflecting his conceptual examination of photography itself. For the first time, studies leading up to Le Verifiche will be on display, offering a unique window into Mulas’ aesthetic and conceptual universe. His homage to Niépce will be a focal point of the exhibit.

A comprehensive catalogue by Marsilio Arte accompanies the exhibition, with essays by curators Denis Curti and Alberto Salvadori.

Initially launched in Venice in 2023 at ‘Le Stanze della Fotografia’,”this project continues in Milan with an entirely new and city-specific perspective. It offers fresh insights, including never-before-seen works. It provides a profound exploration of Ugo Mulas’ legacy as an artist and a critical observer of Milan’s cultural evolution.

Ugo Mulas, Autoritratto con Nini A Melina e Valentina, 1972