Italy and Slovenia Dispute Ownership of Vittore Carpaccio Painting

Italy and Slovenia are in disagreement over the ownership of a 16th-century painting by Vittore Carpaccio. The dispute arose following the return of the painting, titled "The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Six Saints" (1518), from Padua to the Slovenian town of Piran.

Italian politicians maintain that the artwork remains part of Italy's cultural heritage. The painting was removed in 1940 from the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Piran when Istria was under Italian control, and it was transferred to Padua for safekeeping during World War II.

Slovenian Minister of Culture, Asta Vrečko, welcomed the return of the painting, while Tomaž Kunstelj, the Slovenian ambassador, stated that this is the first of several dozen artworks removed during World War II to be returned.

Senator Roberto Menia, of Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, stated that the artwork "remains part of Italian heritage", emphasizing Carpaccio's Venetian roots. The painting is expected to be placed in the Church of St. Francis of Piran on December 27.