Palazzo delle Papesse in Siena reopens after 12 years with Dalí exhibition amid controversy

After 12 years of closure, the Palazzo delle Papesse in Siena reopens to the public to host artistic events, starting with a major exhibition on Salvador Dalí. The show runs from September 18, 2020, for a full year, featuring 200 works and creating about 15 local jobs. However, the exhibition has sparked controversy due to the involvement of Beniamino Levi, a dealer known for selling Dalí sculptures produced from posthumous casts. Critics question the authenticity of the works, with some claiming Levi holds at most five original Dalí pieces. The sculptures are cast at the Fonderia Perseo in Mendrisio, Switzerland. The event is supported by local politicians, including the Lega Nord of Siena, but art critics and journalists have raised doubts about the commercial nature of the show and the provenance of the artworks. The article by Massimiliano Tonelli on Artribune critically examines whether the reopening is truly good news for the cultural scene.