Artists Urge Boycott of Maxxi Museum Due to Alleged Connections with Israel

Six artists have withdrawn from an exhibition at the MAXXI National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, citing the museum’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza and Palestine. In a letter on the website Nero, they accused the museum of ties to entities complicit in Israeli actions, notably collaborating with energy company Eni, which has an offshore oil exploration license in Israeli waters. The artists demand the museum denounce these actions and sever ties with such companies. MAXXI has not yet commented, and it is unclear if the artists’ works have been removed. Protesters previously targeted Eni’s vessels, intended for Israel, and the letter accuses MAXXI of partnerships with arms and geospatial companies, alleging a pattern of legitimizing certain narratives. A separate letter from activist groups criticizes art institutions’ links with the military-industrial complex, underscoring the artists’ stance against their work justifying injustices.