The Bevilacqua-Massari palace was built at the end of the 16th century for count Onofrio Bevilacqua and in the 18th century it belonged to the Massari family. The original building underwent several changes and the present aspect of the palace is quite sober: a brickwork with simple terracotta decorations. In the 18th century the surface of the palace was much enlarged with the building of an annex to the main building, in an elegant neo-classical style. Through the main portal you can reach an elegant atrium looking out onto a small garden where some contemporary sculptures are on display. The large ceremonial stairs lead to the first floor, whose rooms have rich decorations: frescoed ceilings, ornamental panels over the doors and an outstanding rococo room in white and gilded stucco. Antique furniture from various buildings of Ferrara can be seen around the rooms. The palace houses several museums and galleries: the Museum Giovanni Boldini is dedicated to a great Ferrarese painter, a friend of Degas, who worked in Paris between the 19th and 20th century and became the best-loved portraitist of the high society. The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Filippo De Pisis is dedicated to another Ferrarese artist, a master of the 20th century European painting, whose style was extremely personal and unmistakable. In the palace rooms you can see works of other painters, such as Previati, Funi, Melli, Mentessi, Minerbi, Bonzagni and Sironi. Behind the Palace, two small buildings (the former stables and carriage depot) have been restored and transforned into exhibition galleries.