Art
Mussolini's Aide, His Son and a Spat Over Dutch Master's Art
- 16th century portraits by Anthonis Mor at heart of London suit
- Lawyers raise concerns over painting bought in Mussolini era
Two portraits once part of the prized collection of Benito Mussolini’s finance minister are the focus of the latest lawsuit over valuable artworks to reach London courts.
Count Giovanni Volpi di Misurata, a renowned car-racing team manager and son of Giuseppe, the man credited with solving Italy’s World War I debt crisis, is suing a London-based dealer for breach of a partnership agreement over the paintings by 16th Century Dutch artist Anthonis Mor. The dealer denies any wrongdoing and counters that concerns over how the family came into possession of the work caused problems for potential buyers.