Antonio Natali on the difference between a beautiful exhibition and an exhibition of beautiful objects

Antonio Natali reflects on the legacy of art historian Carlo Del Bravo, who died in August 2017. Del Bravo was a severe but generous teacher at the University of Florence, instilling intellectual curiosity and critical independence in his students. He distrusted paid attribution appraisals and avoided curating exhibitions, but he visited shows that interested him, often bringing students and later asking for their judgment. Natali expands on Del Bravo's distinction between "a beautiful exhibition" and "an exhibition of beautiful objects," arguing that power alone can assemble the latter, while true beauty requires knowledge. Natali criticizes contemporary exhibition practices driven by communication tools and market demands, where museums cater to popular tastes rather than educating the public. He calls on the state to fulfill its educational duty by organizing exhibitions on neglected artists and new content in its museums, citing the lack of monographic shows on Piero di Cosimo and Gherardo delle Notti in Italy until 2015. Natali laments that the state, instead of educating, chases economic success with overused fetishes and flattering images.