Ex FinMin Darius Valcov's paintings to undergo expert assessment, might next go on display

Darius Valcov seen leaving the headquarters of the National Anticorruption Directorate on March 27 Photo credit: (c) Silviu MATEI / AGERPRES PHOTO

The National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) confirmed having identified 101 paintings former Finance Minister Darius Valcov had acquired via go-betweens; the works of art will undergo expert assessment and will be further placed in the custody of a specialist institution that will be able to put them on display.

Darius Valcov seen leaving the headquarters of the National Anticorruption Directorate on March 27
Photo credit: (c) Silviu MATEI / AGERPRES PHOTO

According to a DNA release to AGERPRES, following the approval by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the prosecutors conducted house searches at six locations (one in Bucharest, four in the city of Slatina and another one in Olt County), to identify paintings suspected to have been bought by Darius Valcov through go-betweens, with ill-gotten money.

The searches identified 101 works bearing the signature of famous painters such as Pablo Picasso (two engravings and a charcoal drawing), Andy Warhol, Nicolae Tonitza, Stefan Luchian, Gheorghe Petrascu, Constantin Piliuta, Corneliu Baba, Horia Bernea, Octav Bancila.

"Evidence exists that most of these paintings were purchased from famous auction houses. A procedure was initiated to have the paintings identified and authenticated, with a team of expert museographers and other figurative art experts working on it. After the expert assessment, the artworks will be placed in the custody of a specialized institution which will also decide whether to put them on display until the criminal proceeding is finalised and their legal situation is established," says DNA.

The investigators say that Valcov was not an art connoisseur, but deemed art acquisition as a way to conceal the shady source of bribe money which would have been...

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