Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli under fire for excessive loans

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN) is facing criticism for its aggressive loan policy, which has left galleries empty while ticket prices exceed €20. A colossal marble head of Titus from 95 AD has been loaned to Gallerie d'Italia in Naples. Over recent years, MANN has lent works to Bottega Veneta's 2023 Milan fashion show (the Corridori di Ercolano), Fondazione Prada (Tazza Farnese), Milan Central Station (Testa Carafa), Barcelona (150 pieces for 'Pompeya, el último gladiator'), and Beijing (70 works including Aphrodite Callipygia). In 2022, 160 artifacts went to Tokyo's National Museum for a Pompeii exhibition that later traveled to Kyoto, Miyagi, and Fukuoka, in exchange for restoration of the Alexander Mosaic. In 2018, about 100 works were sent to China. The museum has also hosted controversial shows like Phil Colbert's 'House of the Lobster' and a craft beer fair. MANN's loan manager Marialucia Giacco defends the policy as diplomatic and scientific collaboration, not revenue-driven, noting that loans now prioritize works from storage. Visitor numbers have recovered to nearly 700,000 annually, pre-pandemic levels. The museum currently lacks a permanent director, with Massimo Osanna serving temporarily after Paolo Giulierini's second term ended.