Antonio Paolucci has died in Florence: one of the most esteemed Italian historians and art experts, he was superintendent of the museum complex of Florence, minister for cultural heritage during the Dini government and also director of the Vatican Museums.
Paolucci was originally from Rimini, where he was born on 19 September 1939: a student of Roberto Longhi, he entered the administration of cultural heritage in 1969.
Paolucci, who passed away late on Sunday afternoon in Florence where he lived and where his funeral will be held, began his career by winning the competition as inspector of fine arts within the Superintendency of Artistic and Historical Heritage of Florence in 1969. During the During his career he was also superintendent in Venice, Verona, Mantua, and director of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence.
In 1988 he was appointed superintendent of the artistic and historical heritage of Florence, Prato and Pistoia, a role which led him to deal, in 1993, with the damage to the artistic heritage caused by the Georgofili attack on the Uffizi Gallery.
"With the passing of Antonio Paolucci, Italy loses a passionate and rigorous man of culture, a tireless scholar who dedicated his life to the protection, promotion and enhancement of our artistic and cultural heritage. To his family and loved ones deepest condolences" states the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano.
"A profound connoisseur of the history of art, a world-famous museologist, he was striking for the crystalline clarity of his thought. This was the key to his ability to communicate very lofty thoughts and complex concepts to everyone, making them accessible. And to the great humanity with which he able to guide and inspire colleagues in their work, including me. It was an honor for me to always be able to count on his advice and example" says Eike Schmidt, former director of the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, now at the helm of the Museum and Real Bosco di Capodimonte in Naples.
Paolucci's funeral will be held on Tuesday 6 February at 3.30 pm in the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence.
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