The Villa was designed in 1887 by
Cesare Spighi in an
eclectic style, mixing classical design with some more flowing elements, such as stairwells and lamps that suggest what later became
Liberty style. The villa once belonged to the journalist, writer, and publisher
Ferdinando Martini (1841-1928). Martini had originally decorated the villa with paintings by
Giovanni Fattori, Francesco and
Luigi Gioli,
Eugenio Cecconi,
Niccolò Cannicci, and
Angelo Torchi. These were sold after Martini's death. Ultimately it was purchased by the city, and open since 1988 as a cultural center. By the year 2000, it became a museum hosting art mainly from the 20th century (the Renatico Civic Collection). The collection includes works by
Pietro Annigoni,
Vinicio Berti,
Ferdinando Chevrier,
Lamberto Pignotti,
Eugenio Miccini, and
Ketty La Rocca as well as by contemporary artists from the 21st century. The city and museum sponsor an International Engraving Prize since 1999. ==References==