Art critic Carlo Pepi of Crespina (Pisa), a leading expert on Livorno-born painter Amedeo Modigliani, recently raised eyebrows by questioning the authenticity of nearly half the artworks on display at a high-profile Genoa exhibition, titled “Modigliani” and taking place at Palazzo Ducale.
“It’s not difficult to see that several of the works being exhibited in Genoa are fake. Seeing the catalog was enough,” said Pepi, as quoted by Italian news agency ANSA. The scholar, who at publication of this article has not yet visited the exhibition, used his personal Facebook page to assert that “at least 13” of the approximately 30 works on display are inauthentic, encouraging other experts to intervene.
Palazzo Ducale responded to Pepi’s allegations: “Palazzo Ducale does not know the scientific authority of Mr. Pepi, but affirms that {curator} Rudy Chiappini’s choices are absolutely guaranteed for visitors and for the exhibition’s scientific quality.”
Pepi is the founder of the Istituzione Casa Natale Modigliani, where he created a study center, working with the artist’s legal archive and hosting exhibitions, but eventually resigned after finding numerous Modigliani attributions by other members dubious.
He made headlines in 1984 when he was the sole scholar to deny the authenticity of three “Modigliani” works uncovered in Livorno, which were later revealed to be products of a practical joke. Since then, Pepi has made denouncing inauthentic Modigliani works a personal and professional mission.