Laura Cherubini Remembers Maurizio Calvesi, Art Historian and Biennale Director

Laura Cherubini, a former student of Maurizio Calvesi, shares personal memories of the renowned Italian art historian (Rome, 1927-2020). Cherubini recalls graduating with Calvesi, who supported her thesis on Giordano Bruno. She first saw him at the GNAM in Rome with Mario Merz at conferences organized by Palma Bucarelli. Calvesi was married to Augusta Monferini, later director of the GNAM, and was friends with Achille Bonito Oliva and Gino De Dominicis. The couple had nine cats, including Scalfarotto, who was once kidnapped in Tropea and ransomed. Cherubini attended Calvesi's courses on Piero della Francesca (polemical with Carlo Ginzburg) and the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, which Calvesi attributed to Francesco Colonna. Calvesi was Roman-centric, tracing the origins of Arte Povera to Rome with Pascali and Kounellis. He wrote about alchemy in art, linking it to Piranesi, Duchamp, Burri, and Dürer. Calvesi directed the art sector of the Venice Biennale for four years (1984, 1986) and served on its board and jury. He proposed awarding Anselm Kiefer but was overruled. Shortly after his death, Calvesi received the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, alongside Celant, Enwezor, and Gregotti. Cherubini notes that Calvesi considered all art history contemporary, influenced by artists like Mario Ceroli (who designed his wooden library) and Fabio Mauri (who involved him in a performance). His last wish, reported by Caterina Volpi, was for artists to visit him.