This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/jun/25/caravaggio-painting-sale-mystery-sold-before-auction-france
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Mysterious Caravaggio painting valued at $170m snapped up before auction | Mysterious Caravaggio painting valued at $170m snapped up before auction |
(32 minutes later) | |
A painting described as a lost Caravaggio masterpiece has been bought two days before it was due to go under the hammer in France. | A painting described as a lost Caravaggio masterpiece has been bought two days before it was due to go under the hammer in France. |
The painting, which was found under an old mattress in the attic of a house in the French city of Toulouse, was snapped up by a foreign buyer, the auction house selling it said on Tuesday. | The painting, which was found under an old mattress in the attic of a house in the French city of Toulouse, was snapped up by a foreign buyer, the auction house selling it said on Tuesday. |
Art expert Eric Turquin – who authenticated the painting – said it was worth between €100m and €150m (up to $170m), although several Italian specialists have doubts about the canvas. | Art expert Eric Turquin – who authenticated the painting – said it was worth between €100m and €150m (up to $170m), although several Italian specialists have doubts about the canvas. |
'Lost Caravaggio' found in French attic causes rift in art world | 'Lost Caravaggio' found in French attic causes rift in art world |
However, Turquin, France’s leading authority on Old Masters paintings, had staked his reputation on the work being Carvaggio’s lost Judith and Holofernes. | However, Turquin, France’s leading authority on Old Masters paintings, had staked his reputation on the work being Carvaggio’s lost Judith and Holofernes. |
The painting, depicting a grisly biblical scene of the beautiful Jewish widow Judith beheading a sleeping Assyrian general, was to be auctioned in Toulouse on Thursday. | The painting, depicting a grisly biblical scene of the beautiful Jewish widow Judith beheading a sleeping Assyrian general, was to be auctioned in Toulouse on Thursday. |
But before bidding could start, a foreign buyer “close to a major museum” stepped in, said Marc Labarbe, the local auctioneer who discovered the painting when he was asked to value some “old things in the attic” five years ago. | But before bidding could start, a foreign buyer “close to a major museum” stepped in, said Marc Labarbe, the local auctioneer who discovered the painting when he was asked to value some “old things in the attic” five years ago. |
“The fact that the offer comes from a collector close to a major museum convinced the seller to accept [the offer],” he said. | |
Labarbe said he could not reveal the name of the buyer or the price paid because of a confidentiality agreement. | Labarbe said he could not reveal the name of the buyer or the price paid because of a confidentiality agreement. |
But he confirmed that the painting would leave France after an export bar, which classed the canvas as a “national treasure”, was not renewed in November. | But he confirmed that the painting would leave France after an export bar, which classed the canvas as a “national treasure”, was not renewed in November. |
Turquin had earlier told AFP he was sure the painting was by the volatile and violent genius.“Not only is it a Caravaggio, but of all the Caravaggios that are known today, this is one of the great pictures,” he insisted. | Turquin had earlier told AFP he was sure the painting was by the volatile and violent genius.“Not only is it a Caravaggio, but of all the Caravaggios that are known today, this is one of the great pictures,” he insisted. |
But a minority of specialists – particularly in Italy – have their doubts. | But a minority of specialists – particularly in Italy – have their doubts. |
They believe it is a copy made by the Flemish artist Louis Finson, who worked alongside Caravaggio. | They believe it is a copy made by the Flemish artist Louis Finson, who worked alongside Caravaggio. |
Turquin is adamant it is the original from 1606, whose existence was first noted in letters between Italian dukes and art dealers four centuries ago. | Turquin is adamant it is the original from 1606, whose existence was first noted in letters between Italian dukes and art dealers four centuries ago. |
'Lost Caravaggio' rejected by the Louvre may be worth £100m | 'Lost Caravaggio' rejected by the Louvre may be worth £100m |
He is more convinced than ever since the canvas was cleaned in January, a process that took three weeks. On top of x-rays, the cleaning “has shown that the painting was changed a lot as it was painted, with lots of retouching. That proves it is an original,” Turquin said. | He is more convinced than ever since the canvas was cleaned in January, a process that took three weeks. On top of x-rays, the cleaning “has shown that the painting was changed a lot as it was painted, with lots of retouching. That proves it is an original,” Turquin said. |
“Copyists don’t make changes like that. They copy,” he added. | “Copyists don’t make changes like that. They copy,” he added. |
A less virtuoso version of the scene by Finson hangs at the Palazzo Zevallos in Naples. | A less virtuoso version of the scene by Finson hangs at the Palazzo Zevallos in Naples. |
Turquin said the painting marked a turning point in Caravaggio’s development as an artist. | Turquin said the painting marked a turning point in Caravaggio’s development as an artist. |
The fiercely original painter had created his first canvas on the theme, the far more formal Judith Beheading Holofernes in 1598, which hangs at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. | The fiercely original painter had created his first canvas on the theme, the far more formal Judith Beheading Holofernes in 1598, which hangs at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. |
By 1606 Caravaggio was on the run after being condemned to death for stabbing a man in a street brawl. | By 1606 Caravaggio was on the run after being condemned to death for stabbing a man in a street brawl. |
“He was painting faster, more spontaneously and more strikingly,” said Turquin. | “He was painting faster, more spontaneously and more strikingly,” said Turquin. |
Other experts have speculated that Finson could have added his own touches to the canvas after Caravaggio left suddenly for Malta in 1607, where he hoped he might be safer. | Other experts have speculated that Finson could have added his own touches to the canvas after Caravaggio left suddenly for Malta in 1607, where he hoped he might be safer. |
The family who owned the painting – who have not been named – believe it may have been brought to France by one of their ancestors, an officer in Napoleon’s army. | |
Art | Art |
Painting | Painting |
France | France |
Europe | Europe |
news | news |
Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
Share via Email | Share via Email |
Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
Reuse this content | Reuse this content |
Previous version
1
Next version