Uffizi Director Eike Schmidt Declares Support for Italy Over Germany in Euro 2016

Eike Schmidt, the German director of the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, publicly declared his support for Italy ahead of the Italy-Germany quarterfinal match at the 2016 UEFA European Championship in France. In an interview with the Italian daily QN, Schmidt praised Italian culture and football, drawing parallels between art history and the sport. He contrasted the German approach, which he likened to the systematic virtuosity of Bach, with the Italian style, reminiscent of a jazz performance, emphasizing flexibility and invention. Schmidt, who studied in Italy and is married to a Florentine, referenced art critic Roberto Longhi's observation that German artists represent reality more as scientists than artists, while Italian artists focus on the grand picture. His comments highlight his deep appreciation for Italy, where he has directed one of the world's most important museums since 2015.