In Italian galleries, the scene was now familiar: foreign collectors lingering over a work, asking the price, doing the math, and then shaking their heads. “Too expensive with taxes,” they mutter, before turning away and pointing to Paris or other European capitals. This is an all-Italian paradox, in a country that was the birthplace of Michelangelo and Leonardo, but until now has fiscally penalized the purchase of art. Now, however, something is changing. The Council of Ministers has approved a measure that reduces VAT on the sale of works of art from 22% to 5%, bringing Italy in line with the tax standards of other European countries. This is a long-awaited breakthrough in a sector worth 1.36 billion euros. “A mission accomplished,” commented Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli during a press conference in the Culture Ministry's Sala Spadolini. The measure is part of the Omnibus Decree just passed by the government and represents a concrete response to the demands of gallery owners, dealers and artists, who have been penalized for years by an uncompetitive tax regime. “The situation was objectively unnatural,” Giuli stressed, “and put our market at a distinct disadvantage compared to the international one”. With this reform, Italy hopes to revive its role in the global art market.