Italian Right-Wing Art Critics and Intellectuals Poised for Power After 2022 Election

Following the 2022 Italian general election, which saw a decisive victory for the center-right coalition led by Giorgia Meloni, a group of conservative art critics, intellectuals, and curators are expected to gain influential cultural positions. Notable figures include Vittorio Sgarbi, current president of Mart, Fondazione Canova, Fondazione Ferrara Arte, and MAG, who lost his Senate seat but is rumored for Minister of Culture and Education. Luca Beatrice, former curator of the Italian Pavilion at the 2009 Venice Biennale and professor at Accademia Albertina, is known for controversial statements on public art and migration. Angelo Crespi, former director of Il Domenicale and advisor to the Minister of Cultural Heritage, has held presidencies at Palazzo Te and Museo Maga. Luigi Mascheroni, journalist for Il Giornale and professor at Università Cattolica, served on the jury for Italy's 2024 Capital of Culture. Mimmo Di Marzio, head of culture at Il Giornale's Milan section, also practices painting. Massimiliano Finazzer Flory, actor and director, was Milan's culture assessor from 2008 to 2011. Giordano Bruno Guerri, president of Fondazione Opera pia Carità laicale and director of MuSa, leads GardaMusei. Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, journalist and author, has written on Islam and fascism. The article profiles these individuals as potential beneficiaries of the political shift.