The Italian State acquires a rare painting by Antonello da Messina

A small onepainted on wood di Antonello da Messina“one of the fewcertain works by the artistto the world,” is now part of theartistic heritageof the beautiful country. He writes it in a Facebook post thereFederico Zeri Foundationof Bologna.

“The painting, atwo facesraffigura un Behold the Man e un Penitent Saint Jeromein the desert. Just auctioned off at Sotheby’s, now it isproperty of the Italian state“, we read in the post. “Federico Zeri first attributed it togreat master“, recalls the Foundation.

The attribution of Federico Zeri and the criticism

The Foundation reports a passage from 1985art criticrelating to the painting: “…with this grimace, Christ even takes on an appearance that today would be defined as mafia-like. It is ayouthful workstill unknown to artistic literature”. The post ends with a thank you: “Once again we are grateful to Zeri and his immensephoto libraryoggi patrimonio dell’Alma Mater Studirum –University of Bologna“.

Giuli: work is unique in the artistic panorama of the Italian fifteenth century

“It is an operation of the highest cultural level – commented the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli – we waited a few days to communicate it out of respect for the authorities responsible for registering the purchase contract. The work represents a unique example in the artistic panorama of the Italian fifteenth century, a fundamental point in the strategy of expanding and valorising our cultural heritage, to be made available to Italian citizens and visitors from all over the world”.

Details of the acquisition and dating of the work

Il painting by the Sicilian master of the 15th centurywas acquired for a sum of just under15 million euros. The painting, dated1465 circawas previously in oneprivate collection in New York. Nel rectofeatures one of four versions ofBehold the Manmade by Antonello, and inversohis secondPenitent Saint Jerome.

Relevance and rarity of the masterpiece

Del master from Messinathey just exist39 masterpiecesattributed to him with certainty. This acquisition is particularly significant since the work was probably one of only a fewcertain paintings by Antonellostill in the hands of aprivatethus further enriching thenational heritage.