A painting suspected to be by Italian Baroque master Caravaggio has been confirmed by Spain’s Prado Museum. The work titled “Ecce Homo” will be unveiled to the public for the first time later this month. The painting was once considered lost but has now been identified as a genuine Caravaggio piece and will go on display at the museum until October before being moved to the permanent collection. This discovery marks one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art, according to the museum.
In April 2021, Spanish authorities halted an auction of the painting, attributing it to a disciple of a 17th-century Spanish painter. However, after studies and restoration were conducted, it was determined to be a work by Caravaggio. The painting, which had been in the hands of a family in Madrid since the 19th century, was sold privately earlier this year with government permission. The new owner wanted the public presentation of the piece to take place at the Prado Museum, and the museum is excited to showcase this new, unseen work by Caravaggio.
The oil-on-canvas painting depicts the Biblical passage of the Ecce Homo, where Jesus Christ is presented to the crowds before his crucifixion. Measuring 111 by 86 centimeters, the painting was known as early as the 1600s but was later lost track of by experts. The Prado Museum stated that four authoritative experts on Caravaggio and Baroque painting all agree that “Ecce Homo” is a masterpiece by the Italian artist. This rediscovery of the painting has been met with unprecedented consensus among scholars, with experts expressing firm certainty of its authenticity.
Since April 2021, the painting has been under the custodianship of the Colnaghi art gallery and has undergone restoration by specialist Andrea Cipriani and his team. The work was supervised by experts from the Madrid regional government. The CEO of Colnaghi described Caravaggio as an artist who has fascinated audiences and scholars worldwide for centuries. The discovery of “Ecce Homo” is hailed as one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art, given Caravaggio’s adventurous biography and unique style.
The Prado Museum noted that “Ecce Homo” is one of only around 60 known works by Caravaggio in existence, making it one of the most valuable old master artworks in the world. The painting, believed to have been part of the private collection of Phillip IV of Spain, has now been confirmed as a genuine Caravaggio piece. The museum expressed its joy in presenting this newly discovered work to the public and critics, emphasizing the significance of the painting in the context of Caravaggio’s artistic legacy. The experts involved in the painting’s restoration and authentication process unanimously agree on its attribution to Caravaggio, further solidifying its importance in the art world.
