Italian Culture Minister Giuli Visits Biennale 2026 Pavilion, Proposes Acquisition
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli finally visited the Italian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale on May 9, 2026, weeks after skipping the opening amid political tensions. Accompanied by Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Giuli toured Chiara Camoni's exhibition 'Con te con tutto' curated by Cecilia Canziani. He expressed interest in acquiring the work or part of it for permanent public display after the Biennale, sparking debate about the Ministry's acquisition spree. Recent purchases include Antonello da Messina's 'Ecce Homo' for L'Aquila, Caravaggio's 'Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini' for €30 million, the Cinema Astra in Verona (with €7.5 million for restoration), and the Teatro Sannazzaro in Naples after a February fire. Critics question the timing and funding priorities.
Key facts
- Alessandro Giuli visited the Italian Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale on May 9, 2026.
- Giuli was accompanied by Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco.
- The Italian Pavilion features Chiara Camoni's exhibition 'Con te con tutto' curated by Cecilia Canziani.
- Giuli proposed acquiring Camoni's work for permanent public display after the Biennale.
- The Ministry recently purchased Antonello da Messina's 'Ecce Homo' for L'Aquila.
- Caravaggio's 'Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini' was acquired for €30 million.
- The Cinema Astra in Verona was bought with €7.5 million for restoration.
- The Teatro Sannazzaro in Naples was acquired after a February 2026 fire.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandro Giuli
- Pietrangelo Buttafuoco
- Chiara Camoni
- Cecilia Canziani
- Antonello da Messina
- Caravaggio
- Gianmarco Mazzi
Institutions
- Ministero della Cultura
- Biennale di Venezia
- Padiglione Italia
- Palazzo Barberini
- Cinema Astra
- Teatro Sannazzaro
- Artribune
Locations
- Venezia
- Italy
- L'Aquila
- Verona
- Napoli
- Roma