Antonio Paolucci

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Paolucci in 2013
Paolucci in 2013

Antonio Paolucci (19 September 1939 – 4 February 2024) was an Italian art historian and curator, who was Director of the Vatican Museums between 2007 and 2017.[1][2] Paolucci also worked in Florence, Venice, Verona, Mantua, and other Italian cities in national art and cultural institutions. He wrote many books and articles on art history and made television appearances on a variety of programs to explain and promote art. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his work.

Early life

Antonio Paolucci was born in Rimini on 19 September 1939.[3] His father was an antiques dealer, and Paolucci's passion for art began through his handling of antique objects found in his father's shop.[4] He studied art history in Florence under Roberto Longhi and graduated in 1964.[3][5] In 1963, before graduating, he began teaching art history to middle school students in Signa. This experience had a marked effect on his future, as he learned how to capture his students' attention and confirmed for him that complex ideas and concepts could be explained in accessible terms.[4] He also taught at other institutions including the University of Florence and the University of Siena.

Professional career

Paolucci's first job as a supervisor was in 1968 at the

Pitti Palace, the Boboli Gardens, and the Workshop of Precious Stones (for which he was the director from 1986 to 1988), along with many other sites of significant artistic heritage. He also held the position of Minister of Cultural Heritage from January 1995 to May 1996 under the technical government of Lamberto Dini.[6] Paolucci was appointed the extraordinary commissioner for the restoration of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi
after the earthquake that struck on 26 September 1997 caused considerable damage to the patrimony of the basilica.

LEDs to better illuminate the entire chapel at a lower cost.[11] Also under Paolucci's direction visiting hours of the museums were extended into the evenings, and an online system was launched for the public to make their reservations.[12] Paolucci retired from the Vatican Museums in 2017, and was succeeded by Jatta.[2]

Major works published

Paolucci published numerous

Bronzino, Cellini, Giambologna, and the Sistine Chapel
, as well as other works on restoration techniques and art history in general. His works have been translated into English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, as well as other languages.

Personal life and death

Paolucci and his wife, Giulia, also an art historian, were married from 1966 and had one son, Fabrizio.[4]

Antonio Paolucci died in Florence on 4 February 2024, at the age of 84.[13][3]

References

  1. ^ a b Rykner, Didier. "Antonio Paolucci, the new Director of the Vatican Museums". The Art Tribune. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Pope appoints new director of Vatican Museums". Vatican Radio. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d "E' morto il grande storico dell'arte Antonio Paolucci, l'ultimo riminese a essere ministro" [The great art historian Antonio Paolucci, the last Rimini man to be a minister, has died]. Chiamami Città (in Italian). 5 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Mugnaini, Olga (28 October 2012). "Antonio Paolucci, una vita per l'arte" (PDF) (in Italian). Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Greetings from the Director". Vatican Museums. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Biografia: Antonio Paolucci". Arcimagazine (in Italian). Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Vatican ran deficit in 2007: Holy See". CBC News. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  8. ^ "I musei più visitati del 2015". LaStampa.it. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  9. ^ Conti, Paolo. "Musei Vaticani, aria nuova nelle Stanze di Raffaello". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  10. ^ "A (literal) breath of fresh air for the Sistine Chapel's frescos". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Vatican Unveils New Lighting and AC System for Sistine Chapel". zenit.org. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Antonio Paolucci, Antonio Paolucci - itinerario d'arte nella città di Roma". www.arte.it (in Italian). Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Firenze, è morto Antonio Paolucci: tra i massimi esperti di storia dell'arte". Il Resto del Carlino. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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