The Uffizi’s Scientific Committee Has Resigned in Protest of the Museum’s Loaning a Raphael Masterpiece Against Its Advice

The scientific committee of the Uffizi
has collectively resigned in protest over the Florence museum’s
decision to loan out Raphael’s portrait of Pope Leo X.  The
historic work is currently on view in Rome, despite the expert
group’s recommendation that the painting was not in a state to be
moved.

The mass resignation occurred yesterday, the day after the press
preview for the highly anticipated show at the Scuderie del
Quirinale in Rome, called “Raphael.” As a part of the
celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death, the
institution is set to open the sweeping exhibition to the public
on March 5 (it will remain on view through June 2). It’s is a
cornerstone of yearlong celebrations honoring the Renaissance
master, and 70,000 tickets have been sold ahead of the opening.
Around 50 of the 200 pieces in the show are on loan from the
Uffizi; the rest hail from an assortment of 52 other
institutions.

“The exhibition cannot do without a masterpiece, which is in
excellent health and perfect condition to travel to Rome,” said
Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi, in regard to the Pope Leo X
portrait, according to Il Giornale dell’Arte.
Schmidt’s statement contradicts the resignation letter from
the scientific committee, which includes the scholars Claudio
Pizzorusso and Donata Levi, as well as historian Tomaso Montanari
and art dealer Fabrizio Moretti.

“Today we have learned from the press that, contrary to what was
decided at the committee meeting on December 9, the painting has
been loaned and is already at the exhibition site in Rome,” they
wrote. “We are fully aware of the Committee’s consultative
function, but keeping us busy for months making lists that were
later blatantly ignored undermines the very existence of the
Committee.”

The committee members said they hoped that their resignation
“makes it inevitable to rethink and redefine the role of the
Scientific Committees in the government of autonomous museums.”

Further muddling the controversy, other experts appeared to have
conflicting opinions. According to Agenzia
Italia, Marco Ciatti—the head of the Opificio delle
Pietre Dure, where the portrait was restored—also supported the
transfer of Raphael’s painting to Rome, echoing Schmidt. “After the
restoration, Raphael’s Leo X is in perfect condition, in excellent
condition,” he said, “and [is] absolutely capable of going to the
Scuderie del Quirinale without any risk to its ‘health.’”

Even if the Uffizi had held on to the Pope Leo X masterpiece,
European fans of Raphael would have ample opportunities to see his
canvases this year. For the 500th anniversary of his death, Italy
and other Western nations have planned a slew of exhibitions. There
are shows planned for the National Gallery in London in October,
and Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie has a series of Raphael’s Madonnas on
view until spring.

The post The Uffizi’s Scientific Committee Has Resigned in
Protest of the Museum’s Loaning a Raphael Masterpiece Against Its
Advice appeared first on artnet News.