This Mannerist style bulding in Pza. St. Ignazio dates from the 17th c., and is now the headquarters for the Italian Art Squad,
a nick-name for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, or "Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale - TPC",
better known as the "Art Squad".
Over 2,000 officers from the police's protection for cultural heritage unit work round the clock
to locate and recover stolen art.
The Art Squad was begun in 1969, and works world-wide in its search to preserve the cultural heritage
of works of art, and to recover works of art stolen, or emoved from Italy illegally.

The "Mannerist" style in art and architecture is a divergence in style that grew out of the Renaissance ca: 1520-1600,
eventually leading to the Baroque style of the 17th c.
The Mannerist style curved-front building shown here stands among several apartment buildings on right and left.
Michelangelo is the main artist associated with the Mannerist style, which can be seen in both
architecture and his sculpture in the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo.