The 18th century villa was bought by Genoa city Council in 1979 and now houses two outstanding collections of paintings and sculpture donated by the Frugone brothers, Luigi and Lazzaro Gio Batta. Most of the works date from the middle of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th. They include paintings from the Scapigliatura and Macchiaiolo movements which are sometimes known as Italian Impressionistm. Lots of elegant portraits, dappling sunshine and landscapes from artists such as De Nittis, Boldini, Cremona and Mosè Bianchi with bronze statues by Paolo Troubetzkoy.