Sgarbi, Rutilio Manetti painting seized and searches conducted at three homes

by Redazione , published on 12/01/2024
Categories: News / Disclaimer
The Rutilio Manetti painting owned by Undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi has been placed under evidentiary seizure at the disposition of Carabinieri of the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale. Searches were also initiated at three domiciles of the art critic in three different regions.

The Rutilio Manetti painting owned by Undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi has been placed under evidentiary seizure at the disposition of Carabinieri from the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (Cultural Heritage Protection Unit), following a measure that was taken as part of the Macerata Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into the alleged crime of money laundering against the art critic.

Prosecutors also delegated Carabinieri to conduct house searches of the undersecretary, with simultaneous notification of his status as a suspect. The operations were conducted at three of Vittorio Sgarbi’s domiciles (in Emilia, Rome, and Marche), and the parties involved also cooperated. A number of telematic, computer and documentary devices related to the ongoing investigation were also seized during the searches.

This was made known by the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit through a note. The seized painting (it was located in Ro Ferrarese, in a warehouse) will now be subjected to scientific findings. Carabinieri, in the warehouse in Ro Ferrarese, also found a high-fidelity three-dimensional copy of the painting, commissioned by a laboratory in Correggio. The investigation is aimed at ascertaining the painting’s provenance, following a theft report filed on Feb. 14, 2013, by Margherita Buzio, owner of the Buriasco Castle, from which, in 2013, a painting by Rutilio Manetti was stolen that, according to thejournalistic investigation by Report and Fatto Quotidiano that raised the case, bears strong similarities and many elements in common with the painting owned by Sgarbi(a summary of the story here and the latest developments here).

Rutilio Manetti, The Capture of Christ (1635-1637; oil on canvas, 233 x 204 cm; Cavallini Sgarbi Foundation)
Rutilio Manetti, The Capture of Christ (1635-1637; oil on canvas, 233 x 204 cm; Cavallini Sgarbi Foundation)

Sgarbi, Rutilio Manetti painting seized and searches conducted at three homes
Sgarbi, Rutilio Manetti painting seized and searches conducted at three homes


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