Christian Parisot President Modigliani Institute in Rome
Source: iltirreno.gelocal.it

President Modigliani Institute in Rome, Christian Parisot (Christian Parisot) was arrested on charges of fraudulent legalization of the artist on a total of about 6.65 million euros (8.68 million dollars). The detention took place in mid-December of last year: Parisot was placed under house arrest, as well as his alleged accomplice, Italian art dealer Binyapyano Matteo (Matteo Bignapiano). In Italy and Switzerland, police seized a total of 59 works (including 41 Figure, 4 bronze sculptures and oil painting 1), which were allegedly issued fake certificates of authenticity.

Parisot was a close family friend of Modigliani, he worked as a secretary at the daughter and heiress of artist Jeanne (1918-1984). The Institute, which he headed, engaged the expertise of works by Modigliani, as well as publication of the catalog of the artist-reason. At the time of arrest, the president of the Institute has published five volumes of the catalog-reason (the first volume was published in 1990, the fifth - six months ago), he wrote or co-author alone.

Yet , with all the authority figures, Christian Parisot, accusations issue fake certificates are likely unfounded. The expert is under suspicion for some time. Back in 2002, at an exhibition in Segovia (Spain) were seized 77 fake drawings done ostensibly Jeanne Hebuterne, the young lover of Modigliani. Exhibition of her works was organized by Parisot. In 2008, for forging drawings Hebuterne judge convicted the Paris court to two years imprisonment (of which 16 months suspended) and fined 8000 euros. However Parisot has pleaded not guilty and filed an appeal.

In 2010, the exhibition "Modigliani, from Classicism to Cubism" at the Archaeological Museum of Palestrina (Italy) have been discovered 22 counterfeit operation. Once again, the show was organized Christian Parisot. Investigation launched by police after the incident, and has led to the arrest of experts in December 2012.

Investigators believe that they are dealing with an established system of legalization fake Modigliani works for profit. On the authority of an organization like the Modigliani Institute, through its publications and exhibitions market displayed a high level of counterfeiting. These comparisons showed that some confiscated fakes were complete or partial copies of these works, others were created from scratch, but in a recognizable style of Modigliani.

Edition Corriera Della Sera in connection with the arrest of Christian Parisot Call to mind as a very long history regarding the mysterious death of Jeanne Modigliani. Daughter of the artist died at age 66 in a fall from a ladder, cause of death was severe head trauma. This happened in 1984. Formal examination confirmed his death in an accident, but skeptics were full of suspicion. The most daring of them, collector Carlo Pepi, suggested that Jeanne Modigliani could become a victim of murder. Parisot denied any involvement in the case and called Pepi assumptions absolute slander. However, this dark story once again surfaced in the press in connection with the arrest of Parisot.

Prepared Maria Onuchina, AI

Sources : huffingtonpost.com , artmediaagency.com , iltirreno.gelocal.it , theartnewspaper.com , roma.corriere.it , artinvestment.ru