Uffizi and Siena End 800-Year Rivalry with New Cultural Pact

The Gallerie degli Uffizi and the city of Siena have signed a 'Patto per l'arte' (Pact for Art) to end an 800-year-old rivalry. The agreement follows controversy over the Uffizi's acquisition of Daniele da Volterra's 'Madonna col Bambino, San Giovannino e Santa Barbara' at the Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze, which sparked protests from over 40 intellectuals demanding Siena's involvement. Uffizi director Eike Schmidt and Siena mayor Luigi De Mossi met at the Uffizi to resolve the dispute. While legal constraints prevent transferring the painting to Siena's Pinacoteca Nazionale, future exhibitions will be held in both Volterra and Siena. The pact includes collaborations with the Santa Maria della Scala, Accademia Chigiana, and Siena Cathedral complex. The first exhibition, 'Masaccio: Madonna del Solletico. Il Cardinal Antonio Casini', will run from May 14 to October 31, 2020, in the crypt of Siena Cathedral. Additionally, two Albrecht Altdorfer paintings from the Uffizi's storage will return to Siena to reunite the Spannocchi collection. The Accademia Chigiana has been invited to perform at Palazzo Pitti's Sala Bianca.