Francesco Rutelli
The Great Repatriator strides across our land once again. But fear not, art-lings: He comes in peace.
Having spent last week at the Democratic National Convention, deposed Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli, now a member of Italy’s Senate and Rome’s City Council, tomorrow reengages with his old antagonist, the J. Paul Getty Museum, viewing both its Bernini and the Birth of Baroque Portrait Sculpture show (replete with Italian loans) and its permanent installations at the Getty Villa in Malibu (which I sharply criticized here).
According to his press spokesperson, Rutelli’s visit will be personal, not official. Nevertheless, he will thank the Getty and its director, Michael Brand, for “the stance it took when it closed the deal with Italy,” said the spokesperson.
Do you get the feeling Francesco would like his old job back?