Massimo Listri

Massimo Listri (born 1953) is a Florentine photographer celebrated for his meticulous and captivating images of interior spaces. For over three decades, Listri has documented the architecture and design of some of the world’s most revered and historic interiors, from the Vatican’s opulent halls to the ornate palazzos of Germany and Italy, and the storied libraries of Europe and beyond. His work reflects a deep appreciation for the creative achievements of humanity and transforms each image into a portal through which viewers are invited to experience the grandeur and serenity of architectural spaces.

Listri’s passion for photography emerged early in life—he began collaborating with art and architecture magazines at the age of seventeen. While studying Arts and Letters at university, he continued contributing to publications focused on design and culture. In 1981, he co-founded the internationally acclaimed magazine FMR with Franco Maria Ricci and Vittorio Sgarbi. Over the following two decades, the publication became a vital platform for Listri’s photographic essays on palaces, villas, and architecture across all periods of art history.

Known for using large-format negatives and relying primarily on natural light and long exposures, Listri’s style is defined by precision, patience, and reverence for space. He has published over fifty books with prestigious publishers in Europe and the United States, including Palaces of Rome, Villas of Tuscany, Versailles, Sweden Interiors, Casa Mexicana, and New Asian Interiors. His photographs have been the subject of solo exhibitions worldwide, including major presentations at the Museo de Arte Moderno in Buenos Aires and Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

Listri’s work is held in the collections of institutions such as the Morgan Library in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in Bogotá, the Museum of Modern Art in Buenos Aires, and the Vatican Museum in Vatican City. Through his images, he preserves the splendor of architectural masterpieces while heightening the viewer’s sense of wonder and historical awareness.