Lost Caravaggio 'Ecce Homo' Unveiled at Prado, May Return to Italy
The painting 'Ecce Homo' by Caravaggio, once thought to be lost, is currently exhibited at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, where it will remain until October 13, 2024. This oil on canvas, measuring 111 x 86 cm, was discovered in 2021 at the Ansorena auction house, misidentified as a work from the 'school of Ribera' with an initial bidding price of €1,500. Following three years of meticulous research and restoration led by Cristina Terzaghi and her team, it was confirmed as a genuine Caravaggio. An anonymous British collector in Andalusia acquired it for €30–36 million. The artwork, created during Caravaggio's time in Naples (1605–1609), has a notable provenance, including previous ownership by King Philip IV. Subsequently, it will be relocated to Room 7A to engage in dialogue with 'David with the Head of Goliath'.
Key facts
- Caravaggio's 'Ecce Homo' discovered in 2021 at Ansorena auction house, Madrid, listed as 'school of Ribera' with €1,500 estimate.
- Painting authenticated after three years of research by Cristina Terzaghi, Gianni Papi, Giuseppe Porzio, and Keith Christiansen.
- On display at Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, until October 13, 2024, alone in Room 8A, then moving to Room 7A.
- Privately owned by anonymous British collector in Andalusia; purchase price estimated €30–36 million.
- Dealer Jorge Coll of Colnaghi acted as intermediary for the sale.
- Painted by Caravaggio in Naples between 1605 and 1609.
- Historical provenance: Count of Castrillo (1657), King Philip IV (1666), Godoy, Real Academia de San Fernando, Evaristo Pérez de Castro (19th century).
- Painting cannot leave Spain permanently due to government notification, but may travel to Italy for 2025 Jubilee exhibition at Palazzo Barberini.
- Restoration by Andrea Cipriani under supervision of experts from the Community of Madrid.
- Diagnostic studies conducted by nuclear engineer Claudio Falcucci.
Entities
Artists
- Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
- Cristina Terzaghi
- Gianni Papi
- Giuseppe Porzio
- Keith Christiansen
- David García Cueto
- Jorge Coll
- Filippo Benappi
- Andrea Lullo
- Andrea Cipriani
- Claudio Falcucci
- Alonso Cano
- Titian
- Caravaggio
- Michelangelo Merisi
- Alvaro Longoria
- Giampietrino
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Peterzano
- Lomazzo
- Figino
- Evaristo Pérez de Castro
- Manuel Godoy
- Count of Castrillo
- Filippo IV
- Federica Lonati
Institutions
- Museo Nacional del Prado
- Ansorena
- Colnaghi
- Benappi Fine Art
- Lullo Pampoulides
- Università di Roma Tre
- Università di Napoli
- Metropolitan Museum of New York
- Real Academia de San Fernando
- Comunidad de Madrid
- Palazzo Barberini
- Gallerie d'Italia di Napoli
- Artribune
- Museo del Prado
- Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Patrimonio Nacional
- Thyssen Museum
- Abbazia di Montserrat
- Galería de las Colecciones Reales
- Morena Films
- Estrategia Visual
- Mediacrest
- Fandango
Locations
- Madrid
- Spain
- Naples
- Italy
- London
- New York
- Andalusia
- Varese
- Milan
- Rome
- Brussels
- Florence
- Catalonia
- Salamanca district, Madrid