Italian collector and gallerist Davide Halevim dies at 65

Davide Halevim, a prominent Italian collector of contemporary art, antique tapestries, and rugs, has died. Born in 1955, he opened his first gallery at age 22, inheriting a passion for textiles from his father. His collection was the subject of a volume by publisher Franco Maria Ricci. He later expanded into jewelry and watches, founding HD Rare and Unique with his wife, and invested in contemporary art and young artists. In 2002, he established the Fondazione Davide Halevim in Milan, dedicated to young creatives in figurative arts, photography, and video, now led by Emanuela Palazzo and artistic director Edoardo Gnemmi. Halevim also pursued acting and film production, closing his galleries in Milan, Monte Carlo, Capri, Cortina, and Porto Cervo, and selling his tapestry and rug collection at Christie's London. He was part of the cast of Piero Chiambretti's show Markette and helped bring foreign films to Italy, including Rachid Benhadj's Bread Naked (2004), in which he played Haddou. His funeral was held on February 4, 2021, at 2:30 PM in the Jewish section of Cimetière du Château in Nice, streamed live for friends. Vittorio Sgarbi had described him as evoking exotic, indefinite memories. Halevim is survived by his daughters Deborah, Rubina, and Carolina.