A ferragosto row over the ownership of what is arguably the most famous statue in the world – Michelangelo’s “David” – has broken out between the Ministry of Culture and the City Council of Florence.
Culture Minister Sandro Bondi and lawyers for the Ministry Maurizio Raugei and Luigi Andronio say that the statue belongs to the State because Italy was made up of city states before Unification in 1861. Therefore, they argue, Florence City Council cannot be considered a natural descendant of the Florentine Republic which existed in Michelangelo’s time.
The statue was commissioned by the Florentine Republic in 1501 for the Duomo and the artist, who finished it in 1504, was famously paid 400 florins by the administration.
It was originally placed outside the Palazzo Vecchio but was moved to the Accademia in 1872. On this occasion the Council, which was founded between 1771 and 1783, provided a note agreeing to the move, “with all fittings, fixed and unfixed, and with all moveable parts listed in the inventory below”.
The State’s lawyers have seized upon this note because in it the Council does not mention the “David” by name or lay a claim to it.
The Mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, says that the City Council has documentary evidence which proves that the statue is theirs and has asked for a meeting with Mr Bondi to clarify the issue, along with the ownership of other Florentine landmarks such as the Uffizi Gallery.
The “David”draws 1.5 million visitors a year and brings in 8 million euros in annual revenue for the City. The implications for Florence are obviously serious if ownership passes to the State.
What do you think? Does the statue belong to Italy or to Florence?
