The architectural masterpiece in Brescia opens its archives in an unprecedented auction collaboration with Catawiki
By Arts Editorial Staff
In the verdant countryside of Brescia, where modernist architecture seldom takes root amid Italy’s classical sensibilities, rises Villa Caffetto—a brutalist sanctuary of concrete and vision. For decades, this fortress-like residence sheltered not only the late polymath Claudio Caffetto but also a rarely seen collection of post-war Italian art, quietly pulsing behind closed doors. Until now.
Beginning April 10th, those austere walls will metaphorically part, unveiling a trove of creative legacy through a groundbreaking auction in partnership with Catawiki. Titled Villa Caffetto x Catawiki: Masterpieces from the Italian Brutalist Villa, the curated offering of 35 works is more than a sale—it’s an unsealing of time, a glimpse into one of Italy’s most compelling and private creative circles.
The Architect And The Artist
Conceived by architect Bontempi under the direction of Caffetto himself, the villa is perhaps the most profound work in the collection. It’s not a home—it’s a sculpture. Cast in raw concrete and wrapped in hard geometries, the structure stands as a manifesto of brutalist ideals, resisting softness, demanding engagement. It is both canvas and container, a space where the line between living and creating was purposefully erased.
"The Villa has always been a space for exchange and experimentation," says Metilde Caffetto, daughter of the artist and current steward of the project. Her words conjure visions of smoke-laced evenings, where radical ideas bloomed over shared meals and unfinished canvases—an atmosphere more atelier than estate.
A Network Of Brilliance Made Tangible
The auction catalog reads like a constellation of post-war avant-garde: Dadamaino, Miguel Berrocal, François Morellet, Gino Cosentino, Alberto Meli, Rinaldo Pigola, Franco Grignani, Delima Medeiros, Hsiao Chin, and G.A. Cavellini. Each piece is a portal—less a transaction than a transmission, linking present-day collectors to a network of friendships, collaborations, and artistic rebellion.
Claudio Caffetto’s own works anchor the collection with visceral potency. Bue muschiato, a muscular sculptural form estimated at €2,300–€2,800, hums with primal force and symbolic tension. By contrast, Angelo custode (1984), a contemplative sanguine drawing estimated at €500, offers a quieter, more intimate glimpse into the artist’s inner landscape.
Among the highlights: Dadamaino’s Cromorilievo, a chromatic incision into space and rhythm (€25,000–€35,000); Berrocal’s Dalarium, a kinetic puzzle of poetic engineering (€2,000–€3,000); and Morellet’s Prototipo, where mathematical clarity gives way to visual meditation (€5,500–€6,500).
From Private Archive To Cultural Legacy
What distinguishes this event isn’t just the quality of the work—it’s the intent behind its release. All proceeds will fund the transformation of Villa Caffetto into a multidisciplinary cultural center, enabling exhibitions, artist residencies, concerts, and guided tours. It’s a transition from personal sanctuary to public platform—an echo chamber made resonant again.
"The Villa Caffetto auction is a deeply personal journey through the cultural history of our country and, above all, into the intimate world of an artist and an era," explains Giulia Couzzi, modern and contemporary art expert at Catawiki. "Each piece tells a story, every detail is a trace of a shared creative moment: works born from rare collaborations, unexpected encounters, lifelong friendships."
Running from April 10 to 22, Villa Caffetto x Catawiki is more than an auction—it is a release of encoded legacy. For collectors who view ownership as stewardship and curation as an act of reverence, this is a moment of convergence: architectural gravitas, artistic excellence, curatorial intimacy, and cultural perpetuity.
In an age of ephemera, Villa Caffetto offers something enduring: authenticity, provenance, and the tangible remnants of concrete dreams.