Stolen Caravaggio painting is exhibited following a nearly $1,600 auction sale
"Caravaggio's 'Ecce Homo', an incredibly valuable artwork painted by the Italian master, will be exhibited at the Prado Museum from Tuesday. This oil on canvas masterpiece showcases Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, with blood dripping from his face to his chest. On the left, you can see Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in Judea. A third figure stands behind Jesus, holding a red robe over his shoulders.
Caravaggio, who went by the name simply Caravaggio, was famous for his intense depictions of violence. This piece was painted towards the end of his life, in 1606-09, while he was in exile in Naples after being accused of murder. His work changed to a darker and more somber style during this time.
The painting is now considered one of the 60 known works by Caravaggio in existence and is amongst the most valuable old master artworks in the world.
Belonging to King Philip IV's collection, this artwork was traded to the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in 1823. It was mistakenly credited to a pupil of the Spanish painter José de Ribera and sold at auction house Ansorena in April 2021 for a starting price of 1,500 euros ($1,600). Experts from the Prado Museum corrected the misattribution, and the painting was declared a national treasure. Jorge Coll, CEO of Colnaghi Gallery in Madrid, orchestrated the authentication and restoration of the painting before selling it. While he couldn't disclose the buyer's identity or the price, he expressed his excitement about the painting's return to public view.
The Prado Museum stated that this was 'one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art' and that it was restored in an informed and careful manner.
Visitors can view 'Ecce Homo' at the Prado Museum until October 13. The former and the current owners were eager for the piece to be put on display at the museum, said Coll."
Image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Caravaggio_Ecce_homo_1605-1606.jpg/1200px-Caravaggio_Ecce_homo_1605-1606.jpg
Hallmarks
- story about a painting
- describing the painting
- historical context
- Caravaggio, one of the artists
- the painting's recent discovery
- its significance and current owner
- value of the painting
- exhibition at the Prado Museum
Key Words
- Caravaggio
- Ecce Homo
- oil on canvas
- Italy
- Jesus
- Pontius Pilate
- real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
- King Philip IV
- exile in Naples
- exiled artist
- museum
- most valuable old master artworks in the world
- declaration of national treasure
- export ban
- auction house
- misattribution
- old master artwork
- Rome
- accelerated authentication
- Ribera
- Colnaghi Gallery
- expert opinion
Structure
- introduction - Caravaggio's masterpiece
- historical context - time, style, location
- recent discovery - auction house, mistaken attribution, export ban, museum's role
- Caravaggio's life - time, works, accusation, flight, lifestyle in Naples
- description of the painting
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The painting's dark and somber style, a departure from Caravaggio's earlier works, can be attributed to his time in exile and influence from the arts of Naples. The recent sale of 'Ecce Homo' at an auction house, despite being misattributed to a pupil of Ribera, highlighted the enduring appeal of Caravaggio's style in the arts market.
Source: edition.cnn.com
