Como municipality faces deficit over Turner art exhibition

The Turner exhibition in Como, titled ‘TURNER. L’incanto del lago di Como e del paesaggio italiano’, has resulted in a significant financial deficit. According to official records, the event cost the municipality approximately 685,000 euros, while ticket sales from nearly 20,000 visitors generated only 154,890 euros.

The exhibition featured 11 works on loan from the British Tate Gallery. Critics, including art historian Sergio Gaddi and members of the Forza Italia party, have condemned the expenditure, describing the cost of roughly 60,000 euros per painting as ‘embarrassing’ and noting a lack of effective communication and visitor engagement.

Mayor Alessandro Rapinese defended the project, stating that the loss was anticipated and that such events are intended to bring prestige to the city. He noted that the exhibition was funded through the local tourist tax.