Umberto Allemandi, founder of Il Giornale dell'Arte, dies at 88

Umberto Allemandi, the esteemed publisher from Turin, passed away on March 9, 2026, coinciding with his 88th birthday. Over a span of forty years, he revolutionized art journalism in Italy by integrating journalistic principles into cultural reporting. His career began with roles at Il Dramma and Armando Testa, and he later dedicated two decades to Giulio Bolaffi Editore before leading Giorgio Mondadori & Associati. In 1982, he established Società Editrice Allemandi, debuting Il Giornale dell'Arte in 1983. The magazine gained international traction, resulting in the launch of The Art Newspaper in London in 1990. His publishing house produced more than 2,000 titles and oversaw museum bookstores. In 1992, he was honored with the Premio Nazionale per la Cultura. In 2024, he sold the publishing group to a consortium. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli expressed his condolences.