Investigation Launched into Italian Culture Minister's Involvement in Stolen Painting

Vittorio Sgarbi, an Italian junior culture minister and well-known art critic, is facing allegations of possessing and exhibiting a stolen 17th-century painting. The painting, titled "The Capture of Saint Peter" by Rutilio Manetti, was reported stolen in 2013 and used to be displayed in a castle in Piedmont. Sgarbi, who is also a television personality with a history of convictions for slander, is accused of altering the painting by adding a candle to conceal its origin. However, he claims that the painting he possesses is the original, while the stolen one was a copy. These allegations were brought to light by an investigation by the Italian TV broadcaster Rai. The owner of the castle reported the stolen painting and mentioned that a friend of Sgarbi had shown interest in buying it. Additionally, "Report," the investigative program, discovered that another friend of the politician sent a damaged painting of "The Capture of Saint Peter" for restoration, bearing a hole matching the shape of the missing piece from the stolen canvas. Furthermore, Sgarbi is facing separate accusations regarding a painting attributed to French artist Valentin de Boulogne that was seized by police in Montecarlo. He is being investigated for illegally exporting the painting, but he claims he only had a copy and that it did not belong to him. Opposition parties have called for Sgarbi's dismissal, adding to the embarrassment faced by the Italian government this year. However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition remains stable, and her party still enjoys popularity in polls. As Italy approaches the European elections in June, political parties may exploit these scandals for their advantage. The prime minister hopes that further scandals do not arise, as this could potentially escalate tensions within her coalition.