Franceschini Abrogates Bonisoli Decree on Art Export, Eases Circulation of Works by Deceased Artists
On July 31, 2020, Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini enacted a decree that removes restrictions on artworks by artists who have been deceased for 70 years, provided their value is below €13,500. This new regulation nullifies Article 7, paragraph 6 of decree 246/2018, which was established by Franceschini's predecessor, Alberto Bonisoli, who held office from June 2018 until September 2019. Bonisoli's policies included the cancellation of free museum Sundays and the consolidation of the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze with the Uffizi. Since taking office in September 2019, Franceschini has been reversing Bonisoli's decisions. The updated decree streamlines export processes through self-certification and reduces processing times, reinstating prior conditions.
Key facts
- Dario Franceschini signed a decree on July 31, 2020, easing export of artworks by authors deceased for 70 years if value under €13,500.
- The decree abrogates Article 7, paragraph 6 of decree 246/2018 introduced by Alberto Bonisoli in July 2018.
- Bonisoli was Minister for Cultural Heritage from June 2018 to September 2019 under the yellow-green government.
- Bonisoli's reforms included eliminating free museum Sundays and reducing autonomy of superdirectors.
- Bonisoli merged the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze with the Uffizi.
- Franceschini took office in September 2019 and has been reversing Bonisoli's changes.
- The new decree requires only a self-certification for qualifying works, excluding archaeological finds, incunabula, and ancient artifacts.
- Bonisoli's decree had introduced a five-year passport system for artworks that never launched.
Entities
Institutions
- MIBACT
- Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze
- Uffizi
- NABA
- Movimento 5 Stelle
- Partito Democratico
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Mantua
- Florence