A portray that had been up for public sale for simply €1,500 (£1,285) has been confirmed as a misplaced work of Italian grasp Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.
Spain‘s Prado Museum says the work titled Ecce Homo – which suggests behold the person in Latin – was as a result of be auctioned in April 2021 as a portray by Seventeenth-century Spanish artist Jose de Ribera.
However earlier than it might go below the hammer at a Madrid public sale home, Spanish authorities imposed an export ban on the portray after the museum alerted the federal government it may very well be a Caravaggio.
The portray is one among solely 60 Caravaggio work recognized to exist, the museum stated, and its true worth might stretch into tens of tens of millions of euros.
It dates again to 1605-09 and is believed to have as soon as been a part of the personal assortment of Spanish king Phillip IV of Spain, the Prado added, and it’ll go on show from 27 Might till October.
“For our half, we’re more than pleased to be the stage to current this new unshown work of Caravaggio to the general public and critics,” Prado Museum director Miguel Falomir stated.
He added because the nineteenth century it had been within the palms of a household in Madrid, who just lately bought it to a person who wished it displayed within the Prado Museum and has not been recognized.
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The oil-on-canvas work, which measures 111 by 86cm, depicts the Biblical passage of the Ecce Homo, wherein Jesus Christ is introduced to the crowds earlier than being crucified.
Though now owned by a personal particular person, the portray won’t be allowed to depart Spain with out authorities permission.
The Prado stated the work has been below the custodianship of the Colnaghi artwork gallery since April 2021.
The portray was restored by specialist Andrea Cipriani and his staff below the supervision of consultants from the Madrid regional authorities.