Precious paintings seized in
anti-mafia busts will be on view at a new museum in Reggio
Calabria, sources said Monday.
The Palace of Culture opening to the public on May 7 will
be endowed with a permanent collection of 125 paintings by the
likes of Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dalì, and numerous artists
from 1600-1700.
The new museum will also house a collection of 16th-17th
century Russian icons and paintings - including a painting of
St. George attributed to Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina
- as well as a library of rare 18th and 19th century books.
It comes as part of a Reggio Calabria city and province
program to fight organized crime through art.
"Culture and the fight for lawfulness are tightly linked,"
provincial culture councillor Eduardo Lamberti-Castronuovo said
in a statement.
"The exhibition of artworks confiscated from the mafia will
remain always as a sign and a warning," he said.
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