Philippe Daverio, art historian and TV personality, dies at 71

Philippe Daverio, the French-born Italian art historian, critic, and television host, died on September 2, 2020, in Milan after a long illness. He was 71. Daverio was best known for his popular Rai3 program "Passepartout" and his distinctive style, including bow ties and colorful jackets. He began his career as a gallerist in 1975 on Via Monte Napoleone in Milan, later opening a space in New York in 1986. He served as Milan's Assessor of Culture from 1993 to 1996 under Mayor Marco Formentini. Daverio was scientific director of Art e Dossier magazine and a consultant for the Genius Bononiae project of the Carisbo Foundation. He authored numerous books, including "Ho finalmente capito l'Italia" and "Grand Tour d'Italia a piccoli passi." He taught at IULM, Politecnico di Milano, and the University of Palermo. Daverio founded the Save Italy movement in 2011 and supported the +Europa party in 2019. His funeral was held privately on September 3, with a public viewing at Brera's Sala della Passione. Tributes came from Minister Dario Franceschini, Milan Mayor Beppe Sala, and others.