Tweet
Delight at Caravaggio discovery
Caravaggio's Emmaus painting resembles a version in London
Art historians have spoken of their shock and delight after two paintings discovered in a French church were found to be by old master Caravaggio.
'Pilgrimage of Our Lord to Emmaus' and 'Saint Thomas Putting his Finger on Christ's Wound' have hung in the town of Loches for nearly two centuries.
"This kind of thing happens once in a lifetime," said one specialist.
It is thought the paintings were probably bought by a French ambassador to Rome, and friend of Caravaggio.
The works were kept under the organ loft in the church of Saint Anthony in Loches, until in 1999 a curator expressed an interest in a coat of arms on the works.
It turned out to belong to Philippe de Bethune, a minister of France's King Henry IV, an enthusiastic art collector who befriended Caravaggio in Rome
Caravaggio's Emmaus painting resembles a version in London
Art historians have spoken of their shock and delight after two paintings discovered in a French church were found to be by old master Caravaggio.
'Pilgrimage of Our Lord to Emmaus' and 'Saint Thomas Putting his Finger on Christ's Wound' have hung in the town of Loches for nearly two centuries.
"This kind of thing happens once in a lifetime," said one specialist.
It is thought the paintings were probably bought by a French ambassador to Rome, and friend of Caravaggio.
The works were kept under the organ loft in the church of Saint Anthony in Loches, until in 1999 a curator expressed an interest in a coat of arms on the works.
It turned out to belong to Philippe de Bethune, a minister of France's King Henry IV, an enthusiastic art collector who befriended Caravaggio in Rome
It's been a mini-Renaissance in the art world- the Cellini salt rediscovered, now a couple of Caravaggios come to light.
Time to check the attics, spare rooms garages and allotment sheds everyone- does Winston have a Wesselman 'Great American Nude' in the w.c. ?
Is Ming unaware of a Magritte mouldering in the mansard ?
Has Agathon acquired an Altdorfer unknowingly in the annexe ?
Attached Files
Comment