Uffizi Director Eike Schmidt Criticized for Lack of Contemporary Art Curator

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence are under fire for their handling of contemporary art projects, which critics say lack curatorial rigor. Director Eike Schmidt has been accused of prioritizing publicity stunts over quality, such as the viral photo with influencer Chiara Ferragni in front of Botticelli's Venus. In July 2020, the museum hosted Liu Ruowang's wolf sculptures in Piazza Pitti and Piazza Santissima Annunziata, a joint operation with the municipalities of Florence and Naples and gallerist Matteo Lorenzelli. The installation was criticized as mediocre compared to past contemporary interventions by artists like Jeff Koons, Urs Fischer, Ai Weiwei, Tomás Saraceno, and Allan Kaprow (the latter at Museo Novecento). In August 2020, Lorenzo Quinn's giant white hands holding an olive tree, titled "Give," were installed at the Boboli Gardens, a donation to Pietrasanta. The article argues that Schmidt needs a specialized curator to develop a coherent contemporary art program, rather than relying on ad hoc partnerships. It contrasts the lack of outcry over these installations with the fierce protests that often greet loans of historical artworks, referencing art historian Tomaso Montanari. The piece concludes that Schmidt either dislikes contemporary art and showcases mediocre examples, or loves it but needs expert help to avoid errors.