Italian Senate Resolution Targets Poor Art Conservation in Museums

The Italian Senate's Culture Commission, chaired by Riccardo Nencini, approved a resolution on December 14, 2021, addressing the dire state of art conservation in Italian museums. The resolution, based on five hearings from September to November 2021 with entities including CNR, ICOM, and the Istituto Centrale del Restauro, commits the government to several actions: intensive monitoring of exhibition spaces, establishment of conservation standards and best practices, implementation of sensor systems, and reporting to the Ministry of Culture. It also calls for using PNRR funds and improving deposit accessibility, referencing the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. Nencini stated that only 10-15% of artworks in Italian museums are properly conserved, despite the country's vast heritage and advanced technology. The resolution urges the creation of a register of qualified companies for museum fittings to replace inadequate, often harmful display cases. The government, led by Minister Dario Franceschini, is now expected to act.