Antonio Natali on educating the public through lesser-known art

In a piece for Artribune, Antonio Natali, the former director of the Uffizi, examines the role of education in significant exhibitions, referencing his own curated event "Il Cinquecento a Firenze" at Palazzo Strozzi in 2017. He critiques the tendency to depend on renowned artists like Caravaggio, Monet, Picasso, and van Gogh, labeling this trend a "cult of the fetish" focused on quick profit. Natali promotes the idea of showcasing lesser-known yet important artists. His trilogy at Palazzo Strozzi, initiated in 2008, comprised "Bronzino" (2010), "Pontormo e Rosso" (2014), and "Il Cinquecento a Firenze" (2017), which included artists such as Allori and Santi di Tito. Despite the absence of big names, it was recognized as Italy's top exhibition of 2017 and drew significant crowds. He asserts that educating the public about new discoveries can be both financially viable and rewarding.