Italian Collector Returns Lagorio’s Painting “Moonlit Night in Crimea” to Russia

27 July 2026, 12:12

Italian collector Paolo Polvani has donated Lev Lagorio’s painting Moonlit Night in Crimea (1879) to Russia. This was announced by Russia’s ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, on his Telegram channel.

According to the diplomat, the painting was originally part of Russia’s Gatchina Palace Museum collection but somehow ended up in Italy under unclear circumstances.

“After the painting’s authenticity and authorship were confirmed, Polvani and his wife decided to do everything possible to return it to its home museum,” Paramonov noted.

The ambassador emphasized that the Italian collector’s gesture demonstrates solidarity with Russia and highlights the preservation of spiritual and cultural ties between the peoples of the two countries. He added that the return of the masterpiece represents yet another thread connecting Russia and Italy during a difficult time.

Lev Lagorio (1826–1905) was a Russian marine painter of Italian descent. He was born in Feodosia to the family of the Italian consul and was the first student of Ivan Aivazovsky. His works are held in the State Russian Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery.

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