The Carabinieri investigation has brought to light a controversial situation involving Undersecretary of Culture Vittorio Sgarbi.
The painting in question, called “The Capture of St. Peter ,” was stolen in 2013 and then reappeared in 2021 in Lucca, attributed to Sgarbi’s personal property.
The Carabinieri conducted searches at three of Vittorio Sgarbi's homes and seized the painting for forensic analysis. Sgarbi was notified that he was under investigation for laundering cultural property. Computer, electronic, and documentary devices were also seized.
According to the prosecution, the painting was the subject of operations to obscure its criminal origin, with the addition of elements attributing the work to a 1600th-century Sienese painter. It was discovered that the painting was found in the possession of the "Cavallini-Sgarbi" Foundation in a property purchased by the undersecretary.
The investigation will focus on comparing the seized painting with a piece of the original canvas left attached to the frame at the time of the theft in 2013. Sgarbi has always denied the accusations and has defended himself with various means, attacking journalists and threatening to demand millions in damages.
The story has aroused great interest internationally, with many newspapers reporting the news and asking Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for explanations.
