Richard Saltoun Gallery Reopens in Rome After Bureaucratic Closure

Richard Saltoun Gallery, which opened its new Rome location on Via Margutta on March 9, 2022, with a solo show of Bertina Lopes (1924–2012), a pioneer of contemporary African painting, followed by an exhibition of Bice Lazzari (1900–1981), a key figure in 20th-century Italian art, was forced to close in July 2022 due to bureaucratic issues. The closure stemmed from a municipal regulation governing commercial and artisanal businesses in Rome's historic center, designed to prevent establishments from obtaining licenses by falsely claiming to be art galleries while actually serving food and drinks. The regulation assumes businesses are dishonest until proven otherwise, a shock for foreign entrepreneurs. To reopen, the gallery submitted documents proving its nature and that it would not negatively impact the area. Now, after thanking the city for the extended summer break, the gallery is ready to resume exhibitions with works by American artist Eleanor Antin (born 1935, Bronx). The new show, titled "Roman Allegories & Greek Mythologies," features Antin's large-format photographs of San Diego threatened by environmental disasters, echoing Pompeii, alongside twelve lithographs by Giorgio de Chirico inspired by Greek myths. Both artists share a fascination with the past and its ability to provoke contemporary reflection.