Schmidt: absurd request not to send works to Russia for 10 years

The director of the Uffizi Galleries, Eike D. Schmidt, takes positions on possible cultural sanctions that could be imposed on Russia after its intervention in Ukraine. “They are absolutely absurd and counterproductive,” Schmidt stressed yesterday on the sidelines of the press conference at which the donation of the painting by Bartolomeo Salvestrini was being presented, “demands such as tearing down statues by Russian authors, not sending works to Russia for ten years as punishment, or closing the museum of Russian icons in the Pitti Palace. On the contrary, here at the Uffizi Galleries we value the evidence of cultural and peaceful contacts in the hope of resuming them in the future. Culture must be the first to be activated even before the economy. And we hope that the many cries for peace rising from all parts of the world will have an effect.”

Schmidt added, “At a time when there are economic embargoes and air links are disrupted and it is clear that cultural exchanges are also disrupted. It has also been decided to suspend all cooperation with Russian institutions from Rome, so we as a state museum obviously fit into this.” However, the director reiterates the Uffizi Galleries’ total opposition to the conflict: “on the very day that war actions began, the museum immediately posted on social media the image of the Consequences of War by Paul Rubens one of the anti-war masterpieces, the most powerful one of which we are the custodians. We also dedicated a lecture broadcast live online to this work and the topic.”

Pictured: Eike D. Schmidt

Schmidt: absurd request not to send works to Russia for 10 years

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