Controversial Italian art critic and commentator Vittorio Sgarbi, who is being investigated for art crimes, has resigned as junior culture minister with immediate effect, prompting messages of congratulations from his political opponents.
“I am resigning as deputy minister with immediate effect and will be sending a letter to the deputy minister.” [prime minister Giorgia] Meloni,” the 71-year-old said Friday on the sidelines of a conference in Milan about the future of Italy’s economy, drawing gasps and groans from the audience.
“Better late than never.” I have written Tommaso Montanari, a famous left-wing art historian, spoke on X (formerly Twitter).
Pressure has been mounting on Mr. Sgarbi to resign since Macerata prosecutors began investigating him for bribery in January. La Caturra di San Pietro (Occupation of St. Peter) – A 1637-1639 painting attributed to Rutilio Manetti, stolen from Castello di Briasco in Piedmont in 2013. It was stolen by secret means before the torch was added to the canvas to conceal its origin. A coalition of opposition politicians, including the Five Star Movement, then tabled a motion of no confidence, which was scheduled to be voted on in parliament on February 15.
In a separate case, the Italian Competition Authority, following a complaint by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, will establish whether Mr. Sgarbi’s remuneration for public appearances is inconsistent with his work as an employee of the ministry. The investigation began in October. Before the charges were filed, Mr. Sgarbi had publicly attacked many of Mr. Sangiuliano’s policies.
On Friday, Sgarbi said he had decided to resign after receiving a “long and confusing letter” from competition authorities claiming his cultural involvement was “incompatible, illegal and illegitimate.” . He suggested that leaving his ministerial role would allow him to respect cultural commitments. “From now on, I am just a Sugarbi and not a junior culture minister,” he said. “From now on, you will be able to speak freely.”
Elisa Scutela, a member of parliament from the opposition Five Star Movement, wrote on Facebook: “The Five Star Movement has finally achieved its goal by demanding Mr. Sgarbi’s resignation!” […] No one in a position of government can tarnish the image and prestige of our country. ”
As vice-minister, Mr. Sgarbi campaigned for making museums free for Italians and lowering the value-added tax on art imports in order to increase Italy’s competitiveness in the global art market. It is not clear at this time who will replace him.