Italy thwarts illegal auction abroad of Gentileschi painting

By FRANCES D’EMILIO
Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Italy’s art squad police say they have thwarted the potential illegal sale by a Vienna auction house of a 17th-century painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, a celebrated Baroque artist. Carabinieri police said on Tuesday that art merchants had allegedly described the work as being painted by a follower of Gentileschi, and not the artist herself, to fraudulently obtain export permission from Italian authorities. Gentileschi was unusual for achieving success as a female painter in the male-dominated art world of her time. Her early work reflects influence by Baroque giant Caravaggio. A criminal probe is in its early stages. Authorities said the artwork is worth at least 2 million euros (dollars).