Modigliani case in Genoa: works seized for new investigation and exhibition closed prematurely

A new stage in the case of alleged Modigliani fakes in Genoa, which arose from a complaint by collector Carlo Pepi who accused the Modigliani exhibition (at Palazzo Ducale) of displaying some fake works. In fact, the work of Mariastella Margozzi, the expert appointed by the Genoa Public Prosecutor’s Office for an initial investigation of the paintings, has been completed: the art historian has confirmed the possibility that forgeries may be hidden among the works.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has therefore ordered the seizure of twenty-one works in order to conduct further investigations, which will be carried out next week (including scientific examinations with sampling of the works in order to date them correctly). Three people are also under investigation, who are charged with the crimes of forgery of works of art, fraud and receiving stolen goods. The Doge’s Palace, which is an injured party, meanwhile decided to prematurely close the exhibition (which was scheduled to close on Sunday) out of respect for the public. The institution issued a press release, which we quote in full below:

Regarding the “Modigliani” exhibition, Palazzo Ducale takes note of the initiative of the Genoa Public Prosecutor’s Office, to which it has dutifully provided maximum cooperation. As a result of the ongoing proceedings and regardless of its developments and how it will conclude, Palazzo Ducale has suffered substantial damage dimmagine and material (and is likely to suffer more) and is configured exclusively as an injured party. Palazzo Ducale points out that it did not directly organize the exhibition, having commissioned its realization and the selection of the works to a partner of national and international prestige such as MondoMostre Skira, with which it has had a consolidated and important collaboration for years, starting with the exhibitionsFrida Kahloand Da Van Gogh a Picasso. Masterpieces from the Detroit Museum, Italy’s fourth most visited exhibition in 2016.

MondoMostre Skira chose a curator, Rudy Chiappini, for more than 20 years director of the Museo d’ Arte in Lugano, an acknowledged curator of exhibitions of international scope, including on Modigliani, and never in any way discussed by the scholarly community. For this reason, Palazzo Ducale believes that it has operated with the traditional criteria of prudence and care, both by identifying a partner of great international experience (towards whom and its president Massimo Vitta Zelman, in the light of the positive experience gained over the years, cannot but express full confidence) and by accepting a scientifically recognized curatorship. Palazzo Ducale confirms its confidence in the judiciary and reserves the right to protect its rights and image in every forum.

Palazzo Ducale and MondoMostre Skira, in the face of the investigations still underway on 21 works, autonomously choose out of respect for the public and visitors to anticipate by three days the conclusion of the exhibition, which will therefore no longer be open from today.

Image: one of the contested works: Portrait of Mary (1919; oil on cardboard, 66 x 54 cm; Private collection)

Modigliani case in Genoa: works seized for new investigation and exhibition closed prematurely

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