National Gallery of Umbria: Veruska Picchiarelli Appointed Interim Director

The National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia and the Regional Directorate of National Museums of Umbria have a new leader, albeit on an interim basis. Art historian Veruska Picchiarelli has been appointed interim director of the National Gallery and the Regional Directorate, succeeding Costantino D’Orazio, who stepped down from the position in recent weeks to take on a new role at the Ministry of Culture: D’Orazio has been chosen to lead the General Directorate for Contemporary Creativity.

The appointment was formalized by a decree published by the Ministry of Culture’s Department for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage. The measure is temporary and will ensure the administrative and managerial continuity of Umbria’s leading museum institution until a new director is appointed.

The Ministry’s intervention became necessary following D’Orazio’s transfer; on June 24, he officially assumed the position of Director General for Contemporary Creativity at the Ministry of Culture. This new appointment thus prevents a leadership vacuum at the National Gallery of Umbria and the Regional Directorate, ensuring the smooth operation of the institution’s activities.

Veruska Picchiarelli, born in Umbria in 1978, is an art historian with extensive experience in the study of medieval and early modern art. Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Siena in 2004, with a thesis on Niccolò di Liberatore; a Ph.D. from the University of Pisa in 2010 (thesis on painting in Foligno during the late Middle Ages); a specialization diploma, also from the University of Pisa, in 2011; and a diploma in archival science, paleography, and diplomatics from Perugia in 2016. Since 2017, she has served as an art historian at the National Gallery of Umbria, where she has focused in particular on the medieval collections, overseeing research projects, organizing major exhibitions, and coordinating the museum’s educational programs.

Her work at the National Gallery is complemented by other significant roles. Since 2020, she has served as the scientific director of Castello Bufalini in San Giustino, while at the national level she is active within ICOM Italy, the leading international organization bringing together museum professionals and institutions. She also collaborates with the University of Perugia, participating in research and training activities. Prior to that, from 2014 to 2017, she worked at the Foligno branch of the State Archives of Perugia, and from 2010 to 2012 she served as an art historian for the Umbria Region, working on the Regional Catalog of Cultural Heritage.

With this new appointment, Picchiarelli will temporarily assume responsibility for both the National Museums of Umbria and the Regional Directorate, guiding the institution through the transition phase following the departure of Costantino D’Orazio and pending the Ministry of Culture’s selection of a new permanent director. The appointment aims to ensure continuity in the management of the scientific, cultural, and administrative activities of one of central Italy’s leading museum complexes.

National Gallery of Umbria: Veruska Picchiarelli Appointed Interim Director

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