Florence, April 10, 2025 – The Uffizi Galleries, a pinnacle of European art and culture, are set to host an international study conference from April 14 to 16, 2025, marking the 250th anniversary of the appointment of Giuseppe Pelli Bencivenni and Luigi Lanzi. This significant event titled “Between History and System: The Uffizi of Luigi Lanzi and Giuseppe Pelli Bencivenni in the Age of Enlightenment: 1775-2025” explores the transformative impact these two figures had on the institution.
In April 1775, Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo appointed Pelli Bencivenni as the Director of the Uffizi Galleries and Lanzi as the Assistant Director. Their leadership initiated a remarkable period of reorganization and renewal that redefined the museum’s role in the cultural landscape of Europe. The efforts of Pelli Bencivenni and Lanzi established the Uffizi as a vital reference point for the arts, bridging historical and modern artistic dialogues that continue today.
The conference will be organized by Massimiliano Rossi, Professor of Art Criticism at the University of Salento, along with Paolo Pastres from the Deputazione di Storia Patria for Friuli and Fabrizio Paolucci, responsible for the classical antiquities collection at the Uffizi. Over twenty scholars from prestigious universities and research institutions will discuss museology, art collecting, and criticism related to this seminal moment in art history.
The program includes a series of sessions with prominent speakers, including:
- April 14, 2025 (14:30-18:30): Opening remarks and the first session, which will cover topics such as the impact of Lanzi and Pelli Bencivenni during the Age of Enlightenment and the condition of museums around 1775.
- April 15, 2025 (9:00-13:00): The second session will investigate the reforms of the Uffizi from 1775 to 1792, with insights into classification, collection management, and the role of art within Enlightenment discourse.
- April 15, 2025 (14:30-18:30): The third session will focus on the legacy of Lanzi’s notebooks and the collaborative research towards their publication.
- April 16, 2025 (9:00-13:00): The final session will explore the influence of the Uffizi in the context of Enlightenment thought across Italy and Europe.
This conference not only celebrates the historical contributions of Pelli Bencivenni and Lanzi but also reaffirms the Uffizi Galleries’ ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and research in the art world. The event provides a timely opportunity to reflect on the evolution of the museum and the continuous interplay between history and art in shaping cultural identity.
Photo credits: The photographs are from the museum’s archive. On the photo cover luigi Lanzi.
Leave a Reply