Carlo Orsi on Art Dealing, History, and the Future of Culture
Carlo Orsi, a prominent Italian antiquarian based in Milan, reflects on his career and the art market in an interview. Born in 1954, he took over his father Alessandro's gallery in 1986, which was founded in 1952. Orsi has sold works by masters such as Canova, Bronzino, Pontormo, Hayez, and Moroni to institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia, Musée d'Orsay, and National Gallery of Canada. He highlights two recent exhibitions at his gallery: one on Napoleon in 2021 and another on Canova in 2023, marking the bicentenary of their deaths. Orsi serves as president of the Associazione Amici di Brera. He emphasizes the importance of education, humility, and curiosity for young dealers, and advocates for a 'digital Renaissance' with strong cultural investment. He believes globalization and European integration are unstoppable, and that the future hinges on cultural investment.
Key facts
- Carlo Orsi took over his father's gallery in 1986.
- The gallery was founded in 1952 by Alessandro Orsi.
- Orsi has sold works to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia, Musée d'Orsay, and National Gallery of Canada.
- He organized exhibitions on Napoleon (2021) and Canova (2023) for their bicentenaries.
- Orsi is president of the Associazione Amici di Brera.
- He advocates for a 'digital Renaissance' and cultural investment.
- The interview was conducted by Ludovico Pratesi.
- Orsi quotes Bernard of Chartres: 'nani sulle spalle di giganti'.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Orsi
- Alessandro Orsi
- Canova
- Bronzino
- Pontormo
- Hayez
- Moroni
- Napoleon
- John Lennon
- Bernardo di Chartres
- Silvia Ronchey
Institutions
- Galleria Orsi
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Gallerie dell’Accademia di Venezia
- Musée d’Orsay
- National Gallery of Canada
- Associazione Amici di Brera
- Artribune
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- New York
- Venice
- Paris
- Ottawa
- Brera