Sgarbi Vittorio

Vittorio Sgarbi is a well-known Italian art critic, art historian, politician and television personality, born in Ferrara on 8 May 1952. Raised in a family of pharmacists, he has dedicated his life to promoting art and culture, combining his passion for art with an eventful and controversial political career.

Education and academic career

Sgarbi graduated with honours in philosophy from the University of Bologna in 1974 and subsequently specialised in art history. He began his career as an art historian at the Superintendency for Historical and Artistic Heritage in Veneto. In the following years, he also taught at the Università di Udine and, in 2022, was appointed full professor of Modern Art History at Università Kore di Enna.

Political career

His political career has been characterised by constant changes of allegiance. He began participating in politics in 1975, joining the Youth Federation of the Italian Monarchist Union. From 1992 to 2006, he served as a member of parliament for various parties, including Forza Italia and the Partito Radicale, and held important roles such as Undersecretary for Cultural Heritage. In 2008, he was elected mayor of Salemi and, following various other political roles, was elected mayor of Arpino in 2023. His political career has been marked by controversy, disputes and a reputation as a ‘turncoat’. He has always presented himself as a liberal and a libertarian, advocating bold positions, including proposals for the liberalisation of drugs.

Art critic, writer and television personality

Alongside his political career, Sgarbi has published numerous essays and books on art, becoming a leading authority in the field. His most important works include titles such as Carpaccio, I capolavori della pittura antica, and Davanti all’immagine, to name but a few. He is also known for his provocative style and quick temper, which have made him a controversial figure on the Italian cultural scene. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as a television pundit, becoming a familiar face thanks to programmes such as the Maurizio Costanzo Show. His television career was marked by heated debates and arguments, helping to forge an image of a passionate and polarising art critic. His TV appearances were often controversial, featuring well-known arguments and controversies.