A proposal for the surplus art of state-run museums to be exhibited in private hotels has become controversial in Italy.
The idea was launched earlier this week by cultural association Culturalia. It was endorsed by the Italian hoteliers' association, Federalberghi, and given a cautious welcome by a government representative.
But art history professor Tomaso Montanari expressed his outrage over the plan in Saturday's La Repubblica newspaper.
"The latest folly to help museums: Putting artworks in hotels," ran the headline.
Montanari argued that while it was fine for the private sector to support public institutions through philanthropy, it was wrong for state museums to do the reverse, subsidising private hotels by lending them art for free.
Yet, a large number of precious paintings and sculptures in Italy are stashed in museums' basements and warehouses, away from public sight, mostly for sheer lack of exhibition space.
"There are too many museum lofts full of works of art which could be easily be hosted in the halls of Italy's 34,000 hotels, where tourists from all over the world come by," Federalberghi President Bernabo Bocca said on Wednesday.
Culture Undersecretary Ilaria Borletti Buitoni said it was an "appealing proposal," which, however, had to "be evaluated very carefully" given the practical, legal and security challenges that would come into play.
"It's a great idea, but there would be quite a few problems in putting into practice," art expert Ludovico Pratesi explained to the Adnkronos news agency.
"The works would need to be ensured and protected in every way," he warned.
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