- Feb 5, 2002
- 166,650
- 56,274
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
Although the canvas was documented by the Italian state in 1931, it subsequently vanished from official records and deteriorated over time.
Fifty years ago, Italian authorities had lost sight of a €100 million Botticelli masterpiece – a Madonna and Child. The painting has now been (re)discovered in a private residence near Naples.
The recently recovered artwork depicting the Madonna and Child is in a significantly deteriorated condition. As read in the note published by The Guardian, a representative of the carabinieri (police) command for the protection of cultural heritage of Naples, said that “the last time the authorities had inspected the private residence where the Botticelli painting was kept [was] over 50 years ago. Since then, inexplicably, the painting had been forgotten by the authorities. When, after research on these works to be inspected, we realized that a painting by Botticelli had been located in a private home for over 50 years, we decided to inspect it.”
The Italian Ministry of Culture will oversee a careful restoration process expected to span a year. The image displays multiple scratches and color changes resulting from the oxidation of varnishes. Thorough restoration efforts aim at making it suitable for public viewing.
Continued below.
aleteia.org
Fifty years ago, Italian authorities had lost sight of a €100 million Botticelli masterpiece – a Madonna and Child. The painting has now been (re)discovered in a private residence near Naples.
The recently recovered artwork depicting the Madonna and Child is in a significantly deteriorated condition. As read in the note published by The Guardian, a representative of the carabinieri (police) command for the protection of cultural heritage of Naples, said that “the last time the authorities had inspected the private residence where the Botticelli painting was kept [was] over 50 years ago. Since then, inexplicably, the painting had been forgotten by the authorities. When, after research on these works to be inspected, we realized that a painting by Botticelli had been located in a private home for over 50 years, we decided to inspect it.”
The Italian Ministry of Culture will oversee a careful restoration process expected to span a year. The image displays multiple scratches and color changes resulting from the oxidation of varnishes. Thorough restoration efforts aim at making it suitable for public viewing.
Continued below.
Lost Botticelli Madonna recovered near Naples after 50 years
Although the canvas was documented by the Italian state in 1931, it subsequently vanished from official records and deteriorated over time.
aleteia.org
