Vittorio Sgarbi Visits Salò to View Angelo Zanelli’s Gasparo Bust
Vittorio Sgarbi wanted to purchase a sculpture by Angelo Zanelli: the bust of Gasparo, considered by many to be the inventor of the violin. However, the mayor told him no, that it was not possible: it belongs to the Municipality and, consequently, to the community. And he, having completed his visit to Salò, perhaps left a bit disappointed.
Occasionally, Sgarbi appears on the Brescia side of the lake. He did so during a conference at the Vittoriale on Goethe and travelers of the last century. He arrived early in the morning, fresh as a daisy, despite having stayed out late at the Sanremo Festival.
Then there was his speech in Piazza Duomo in Salò, organized and generously paid for by Andrea Calubini, the entrepreneur of Ecoservizi, on the sculptor Francesco Messina. In September, he also participated in a debate on 20th-century poetry, alongside Gino Paoli and Alda Merini, still at the Vittoriale, and presented at the Grand Hotel the masterpieces of Giorgio De Chirico (dedicated to women from an association).
Vittorio Sgarbi’s Visit to Salò
Recently, Vittorio, polemicist, art critic, testimonial for Telemarket (Giorgio Corbelli), talk show star, and celebrity gossip figure, announced his visit to Salò. And yesterday morning, he appeared punctually, accompanied by a photographer, an expert, and his general manager.
He was welcomed by the mayor Giampiero Cipani, the head of the Culture Office Antonio del Vecchio, and other officials. Sgarbi was taken to the Duomo, where he examined the paintings by Zenon Veronese, Andrea Celesti, Palma il Giovane, Pietro Marone, Girolamo Romanino, the gilded icon of Bartolomeo da Isola Dovarese, and Pietro Bussolo, the large wooden crucifix by Giovanni Teutonico, among others.
Inside the town hall, the critic inspected all the paintings on the grand staircase, those in the council hall, and the reliefs of the Via Lucis in the Sala dei Provveditori, «scolding» those who mistakenly attributed a work to Andrea Bertanza. «No way – he observed – this is a Sante Cattaneo!». True, very true. The crowd remained open-mouthed.
He then paused in front of the marble bust of Gasparo da Salò, which had thrilled D’Annunzio in 1923. «A truly musical work,» said the poet. «I don’t remember others by Scarpello that so clearly transmit the sense of harmony: we don’t know if he’s opening his chest to extract the violin or opening the violin to put his heart inside.»
Angelo Zanelli, originally from San Felice, also crafted the statue of Dea Roma and the frieze of the Altare della Patria. «At my home in Ferrara, I keep five or six sculptures by Zanelli. But I really love this bust of Gasparo,» exclaimed Sgarbi, who said he was ready to buy it immediately.
However, the Cipani mayor stopped the negotiation attempt, reminding everyone that it is a public work and not for sale. Vittorio had to settle for some complimentary postcards. After finishing the visit, fixing his rebellious tuft, he bid everyone farewell and left with his delegation.