American arts patron Donna Malin has been awarded the prestigious Premio Rotondi in recognition of her support for the restoration of the funerary monument of the Countess of Albany in the Castellani Chapel of Santa Croce.
Established in 1997, the Premio Rotondi honours individuals and institutions committed to safeguarding cultural heritage. Named after Pasquale Rotondi, the Italian superintendent who helped save thousands of artworks during the Second World War, the award celebrates the “art of saving art” and recognizes contemporary custodians of culture from around the world.
“Donna Malin has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Premio Rotondi,” said Annamaria D’Angelo, fundraising consultant for Opera di Santa Croce. “Donna has supported Santa Croce for many years and has become not only one of our ‘art angels’ but also a dear friend. We even coined the nickname ‘Santa Croce Lady’ for her, reflecting a close-knit group of American women who are part of the life of Santa Croce as patrons and friends. She was brought to the attention of Salvatore Giannella, journalist and founder of the prize, after an article published in Corriere della Sera, which we believe drew inspiration from a feature on Donna that appeared in The Florentine.”
Speaking to Corriere Fiorentino, Malin said she was both surprised and honoured by the recognition. “It came as a surprise and as recognition of the journey I have built with Santa Croce and the other institutions I support,” she said. “The motivation remains the same: to care for what I love and to share it with others. The greatest joy? Seeing someone smile in front of a restored work of art.”
D’Angelo accepted the award on Malin’s behalf during a ceremony held in Sassocorvaro, in Italy’s Marche region, on May 30.
