Lost masterpiece for Prado Museum

For those who watch TV shows which deal with antiques, it never ceases to amaze how many previously undiscovered and valuable items still appear.

Probably the most incredible find of all will be put on display at the Prado Museum in Madrid from May 28 until October 2024, thanks to the generosity on its new owner.

In April 2021, an auction catalogue issued by the Spanish auctioneers Ansorena depicted a painting said to be by a pupil of José de Ribera which had an estimate of €1,500.

Imagine the excitement of discovering a lost masterpiece

Various art historians began to wonder if  it was in fact a lost masterpiece by Italian artist Caravaggio who died at the age of 38  in 1610 and who left behind only 60 paintings which can be attributed to him.

The Spanish Ministry of Culture was alerted to this potential sale and with the Madrid City Council, made sure that the painting was accorded protected heritage status and was prohibited from leaving the country.

For generations this painting, now known as Ecce homo (Behold the man) which depicts Pontius Pilate and Christ wearing a Crown of Thorns, has belonged to a family who had no idea what they owned.

View the painting at the Prado Museum

After much investigation, the painting was attributed as a genuine Caravaggio which was once owned by the Spanish Royal Family, was sold to a private buyer for an unknown sum, was sympathetically restored and this is what can be viewed at the Prado which itself only owns two paintings by the artist.