The Minister of Culture, Miquel Iceta, has assured that the Government will act if it appreciates any irregularity in the sale of Hannibal Victor, the first work attributed to Goya, “we will not hesitate a moment in going to justice,” he said.
Iceta has responded in this way to Asturian Deputy Isidro Martínez Oblanca in Congress.
The Forum Representative has asked the Government to intervene the Selgas-Fagalde Foundation for the “Dark Operations and TieJanes” of the sale of Hannibal Victor.
The picture, the first work of Goya, has been deposited in the Prado Museum by the Asturian Foundation, but last year was acquired by the Foundation of Friends of the Pinacoteca for 3.3 million euros –
It could be below its market cost – and subsequently donated to the Madrid Pinacoteca.
The Government of the Principality, with presence at the Board of the Foundation, has been shown contrary to the operation and its Department of Culture recently announced that they study appearing actions to determine if the sale was legal.
According to the Asturian deputy, the picture must be in Asturias for enjoyment of all Spaniards.
He also accused the Board of the Entity of Malvender the work despite the fact that he was part of a collection legacy and exposed entirely in Asturias.
The Ministry has requested information to the Foundation on the sale of the work and other issues related to its operation.
“If the answer was not complete or any responsibility will be derived, the ministry will ask for the intervention of the Foundation to Justice,” Iceta said.
And she has added: “But if the transaction was made with respect to the law, the government can not act at all.”
According to the information of the Minister of Culture, the Asturian Foundation put on sale three years ago the picture, asking for a higher price, which did not get, and subsequently the contract agreement was reached with the Foundation of Friends of the Prado Museum.
The General Secretary of the Friends Foundation of the Prado Museum, Nuria de Miguel, said on Monday that the sale of the painting was done with all the rigor and the legal needs: “We are very calm and happy to contribute to this table to stay in
The meadow”.
The Asturian deputy has remembered the Minister that the Selgas-Falling Foundation also tried to sell a picture of the Greco to a Hungarian Museum and the Ministry slowed down.
“The picture of Goya has been expoliated with the Asturians, with tricks and artimanians, as he was about to pass with a Greco, he can not remain alien.”
The deputy has asked for the restitution of Goya’s work to “correct inequity” with Asturias.
The minister has elapsed the Asturian deputy to come to himself to justice as it seems that he has more information.
