Few people are indifferent to politician, art critic and TV personality Vittorio Sgarbi. The educated debater, who until recently was a staunch follower of former prime minister and Mediaset owner Silvio Berlusconi on cultural issues, has moved from controversy to controversy. A year ago, images circulated online of him getting into a fist fight with writer Giampiero Mughini on live television, in front of the shocked gaze of other guests. But it was nothing new. The previous year, he was dragged out of parliament by ushers after he made derogatory remarks about other members and refused to leave the chamber. But this time, Sugarbi could face even more serious problems. Giorgia Meloni’s undersecretary for culture has been charged with stealing a painting by the famous 17th century artist Rutilio Manetti.
Capture of Saint PeterThe painting in question, a Renaissance work influenced by Caravaggio, was stolen from a castle in Briasco (Piedmont) in 2013. However, this canvas reappeared in the 2021 exhibition as Sugarbi’s own property. Those familiar with this work will notice a small but significant difference. Sugarbi’s painting was the same, but a candle was added to the top left of the painting. A small but bright pictorial detail forms the basis of the case. According to Italian media, prosecutors are now investigating whether the alterations were introduced by Mr. Sgarbi himself to conceal the possibility of the theft.
Sgarbi, who is also the mayor of the small town of Alpino in Lazio region, categorically denied the accusations in a telephone conversation with El Paz newspaper, saying he had not yet received any notification from the public prosecutor’s office. “It’s not the same picture! Moreover, no one will criticize me. [the newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano and the program Report] I have never seen either picture. You can’t write an article accusing me without seeing the work. “I have asked experts to check my work and they will prove that my work is original and that all the elements, including the candle, are part of the painting,” he said. Sgarbi admits that he has visited Briasco’s castle, but says: “That was 20 years ago.” “Of course, I saw the painting. But it was a copy stored in a mess in a place full of other copies. It was like a movie set. You know, it’s so relaxing. It’s all a sham. Yes, everything.”
The incident broke out a few weeks ago, when reports and Il Fat Quotidiano It was reported that Sugarbi has started the following exhibition. painters of light Isn’t it ironic that the incident in Lucca (Tuscany) revolved around candles? Capture of Saint Peter Manetti’s work, which is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and is listed as stolen in Interpol’s database, was put on display. Before 2013, the painting was located in a castle owned by Margherita Busio, a place Sgarbi visited several times. According to local media, one of his collaborators offered to buy it, but the offer was always rejected.
The owner told police that thieves broke into the castle, cut Manetti’s canvas from its frame and left a photo of the work in its place. As Sgarbi claims in his defense, the Carabinieri and others were sent by Macerata prosecutors to interrogate the Correggio (Reggio Emilia) restorer and company owner who allegedly made copies of the work. Ta. He claims that his painting was in a mansion that his mother had purchased some time ago.
The controversy has caused concern for the government, which is now pondering how to deal with the Manetti scandal and other pending issues against him as clouds hang over the deputy minister. Mr. Sgarbi, who has refused to resign over the matter, posted a photo of himself on Wednesday morning sitting barefoot in a chair in front of a painting with his shoes aside. In his message he plays with words using Italian proverbs. mi voliono far le scarpe [which literally translates as “they want to make me shoes” and idiomatically roughly means “they want to get me out of the way”] Sgarbi wrote. “please.”
Mr. Sgarbi is also under investigation by Italy’s competition authority for allegedly charging fees for consulting services and appearances at events despite holding a public office. Il Fat Quotidiano He released a report alleging that he continued to charge fees for consulting services despite being a member of the government.
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