Mysterious Marble Head Found in Venice, Sparking Art Crime Investigation

Days after a multi-million-euro jewelry heist at Palazzo Ducale, Venice faces another art mystery. A marble head of a woman, possibly a veiled Madonna from the last century, was discovered in Riva degli Schiavoni near Ponte della Pietà, hidden among high-water walkways. The Istrian stone sculpture, weighing about half a quintal, was found by Carabinieri and transported to the San Zaccaria barracks. Authorities have alerted the Superintendence of Archaeological and Cultural Heritage, the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of the Carabinieri in Piazza San Marco, the Civic Museums, and the Patriarchate of Venice to verify if the piece is in the database of stolen objects. Theories range from an abandoned theft attempt to an act of vandalism. This incident echoes a 2010 theft of the head of Sior Rioba in Cannaregio, which was recovered days later, and the 1984 Modigliani head hoax in Livorno, orchestrated by three students and artist Angelo Froglia.