Eike Schmidt defends private party at Palazzo Pitti, citing revenue for restorations

Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Galleries, has issued a detailed response to criticism over a private event held at Palazzo Pitti, which was initially reported as a bachelor party. In a letter, Schmidt clarifies that the event was a corporate dinner organized by Palazzi & Gas Srl of Rome, not a bachelor party, and that no vulgar activities occurred. He emphasizes that the 70,500 euro fee, plus 13,000 euro for personnel, will fund restorations and upgrades. The event took place in the Cortile dell'Ammannati after public closing hours, with strict oversight by Uffizi technicians and the Soprintendenza ai Monumenti. Schmidt defends the practice of renting out monumental spaces as a necessary revenue source to avoid ticket price increases or reduced public access. The controversy was sparked by art historian Tomaso Montanari, who criticized the event in La Repubblica, questioning the commodification of beauty. Schmidt's letter serves as a defense of museum directors' financial pragmatism.