Italy in action, buys 1470 painting for 13 million euros

The Italian state has taken action to make some of its masterpieces state property. So, almost three weeks after the 30 million euro purchase of Caravaggio's "Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini", it has also acquired a work by the early Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina. It paid around 13 million euros for the 1470 work.

The Italian government's initiative to nationalize works in private collections has been further cemented by the purchase of a work by the early Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina for $14.9 million (12.9 million euros) from the Sotheby's auction house in New York. It was presented to the Italian Senate. Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said that the work was about to be auctioned at Sotheby's a few days ago, when the state intervened and managed to negotiate its purchase, "starting from a favorable price."

"It was a painting that was being prepared to go up for auction at 'Sotheby's' and we managed to buy it without going to the auction at all. So, with a very favorable starting price for us, but above all very important for the mission to return to Italy a painting of such importance. And to make it available to Italian citizens," said Minister Giuli.

He traveled to New York to view the work and finalize the deal with Sotheby's, and returned just in time for its presentation to the Italian citizens.

It is a devotional painting on a wooden panel measuring 20.3 by 14.9 centimeters. On one side is depicted "Ecce Homo" and on the other side "St. Jerome the Penitent".
“Ecce Homo” depicts Jesus with a crown of thorns on his head and a rope around his neck, as Pontius Pilate hands him over to the angry mob to be led to the crucifixion. The work has been kept by its owner for years in a leather bag and taken out for use during prayers. St. Jerome’s face has been worn away by the owner’s repeated devotional kisses.

"It was used by its owner to pray, while he looked at Christ, he prayed in front of it, and when he looked at 'Saint Jerome the Penitent', he kissed it, so Saint Jerome is completely worn out. And direct contact with this work of art in that way, kissing and touching it, has caused damage," said Federica Zalabra, director of the National Museum of Abruzzo, which first exhibited the painting last week. The panel dates from around 1470.

The purchase comes nearly three weeks after Italy bought a rare portrait by Baroque painter Caravaggio for about $35 million, one of the largest state investments ever for a single work of art.
The painting depicts Maffeo Barberini, a nobleman who later became Pope Urban VIII.

"I must say that the Ministry of Culture is making a lot of efforts to expand the country's artistic heritage. Of course, when we buy certain masterpieces, we don't buy everything indiscriminately. We buy masterpieces that have a connection with Italy, that can be placed alongside other masterpieces. We have many works in storage: one might ask why we buy, because the ones we buy are undoubtedly unique parts of the country's history, like the Antonello or the 'Portrait of Maffeo Barberini by Caravaggio', which are being returned to their homeland," said Massimo Osanna, the general director of Italian museums.

also Culture 4 months ago Italy buys Caravaggio work for 30 million euros

The work will initially be exhibited at the National Museum of Abruzzo in L'Aquila, before being moved to other locations in Italy, to give as many Italians as possible the chance to see it up close. Giuli said people should expect several other significant acquisitions and international operations in the near future.

"The Ministry of Culture has always been committed to the acquisition of works of art of great cultural importance. It is true that there is a policy to increase these acquisitions. We want people to understand how important it is for us to bring back to Italy works of great artistic and public importance, as well as to make them available to the world and to Italians," said the Italian Minister of Culture.