Monica De Cardenas

Monica De Cardenas opened her gallery in Milan’s Corso Como district in 1992, located in a green courtyard in the heart of the city. Over time, this area transformed from a peripheral zone to a dynamic urban center, surrounded by modern landmarks. The gallery gained recognition for presenting international artists, focusing on photography and figurative painting. It introduced major works such as Thomas Struth’s large-scale photographs in 1993, Markus Raetz’s perspective-changing sculptures in 1994, and Stephan Balkenhol’s minimalist figurative sculptures in 1996. In 1998, it was among the first galleries in Europe to showcase American painter Alex Katz, whose collaboration continued with major exhibitions across Europe and the US. Throughout the 2000s, the gallery further developed its focus on figurative painting with solo and group shows by artists like Peter Doig, Chantal Joffe, and Ali Banisadr. It also represents young Italian talents like Claudia Losi and Federico Tosi. In 2007, the gallery opened a second space in Zuoz, Switzerland, in a 14th-century Engadine house, blending international and Italian artists while promoting Italian art in Switzerland. The gallery has also exhibited renowned names such as Marisa Merz, Gianni Colombo, and Fausto Melotti.