Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into possible forgeries in the exhibition "Modigliani", held in Palazzo Ducale in Genoa

the Exhibition opened with fanfare in mid-March in the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) in Genoa, at the end of may was in the center of a scandal after allegations leading expert on Modigliani Carlo Pepi (Pepi Carlo) that at least 13 out of 60 of the exhibited works are "questionable." In addition, Pepi said that three paintings in the exhibition were not written Modigliani and Moses Kisling.

Their fears Tuscan art critic and collector Carlo Pepi expressed on his page in Facebook. He called specifically only two works — "Reclining Nude and Portrait of Chaim Soutine". Both — from private collections. Their findings, the expert made according to published photographs.

the First reaction of the leadership of the Ducal Palace, with curator Rudi Chiappini (Rudy Chiappini) was defensive. Accusations Carlo Pepi called baseless. Mentioned works have an extensive bibliography and an exhibition history. For example, specified by the expert as "doubtful" portrait of Soutine, according to them, previously exhibited in Paris, Lausanne, Pisa and Turin. From the Palazzo Ducale began to threaten a lawsuit to Carlo Pepi for his statements caused moral and material damage.

However, Italian prosecutors decided to listen to the words of Carlo Pepi and began checking. After all, Carlo Pepi was the only expert who in 1984 questioned the authenticity of the three suddenly discovered in Livorno sculpted "Heads" of Modigliani and in the end he was right. The organizers now say about the readiness to provide full support to the investigation.

Amedeo Modigliani is one of the most expensive artists in the world. Today his picture "Reclining Nude" (1917-1918), ranked second in the list of most expensive works of art in the world, sold at public auction. In 2015, at Christie's, this work was bought by Chinese billionaire Liu Ican for $170,4 million

the Material was prepared by Maria Onuchina, AI

Sources: ansa.it, genova.repubblica.it, artslife.com, artinvestment.ru