Renato Barilli calls for reopening of museums and libraries

Renato Barilli, professor emeritus at the University of Bologna, has published an open letter on Artribune urging the immediate reopening of museums, libraries, bookshops, and even art supply stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. He criticizes what he calls the 'new monatti'—experts and officials who, in his view, prolong the exceptional lockdown conditions to maintain their media prominence. Barilli argues that simple measures such as temperature checks (excluding anyone with a fever above 37.5°C) and enforcing social distancing around artworks would suffice to make visits safe. He expresses frustration that these common-sense precautions are being dismissed. The letter also recounts Barilli's long and ambivalent relationship with Vittorio Sgarbi, whom he first met in the 1970s when Barilli was director of the Institute of Art History at the University of Bologna. Despite their differing academic backgrounds—Barilli coming from a non-Longhian tradition and Sgarbi being a follower of Roberto Longhi—they shared a mutual respect. Barilli admits to envy of Sgarbi's subsequent rise to fame but now aligns with him on the need to reopen cultural institutions. The piece is published on Artribune, an Italian art news platform, and includes links to newsletters and social media sharing options.