The ministry said, “we are following the news … with great attention, and it will be the experts, in Italy we have some very authoritative ones, who will say whether it is really by Leonardo and define its value”.
“Should the attribution of the drawing to the Italian genius be confirmed and should the work really end up at auction, the Ministry, through the competent bodies, will verify all possible avenues, including the involvement of private individuals and patrons, to make a well-considered and fair purchase offer and allocate the work to a major Italian public museum.”
Culture Undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi, one of Italy’s top art experts, said the work “mustn’t be bought, it’s mediocre and not by Leonardo”.
ANSA
