Italian art system criticized for lacking meritocracy compared to football

Ludovico Pratesi argues that Italy's contemporary art scene suffers from nepotism and lack of merit, contrasting it with the country's football culture. He notes that historical patrons like Lorenzo de' Medici, Pope Julius II, Scipione Borghese, and Popes Urban VIII and Alexander VII selected exceptional artists such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Bernini. Today, politicians and officials prioritize personal tastes over merit, leading to mediocre artists being showcased in prestigious venues. Pratesi criticizes Italy's poor performance at the Venice Biennale, where the nation fields artists of varying quality without a strategy to win the Golden Lion. He calls for a systemic change to nurture top-tier artists, akin to football's focus on developing champions.