Summary
Italy has purchased a rare Caravaggio painting for €30 million to prevent it from going to private collectors. The painting, a portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini, is now part of the permanent collection at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. This acquisition is part of Italy's efforts to keep important art accessible to the public.
Key Facts
- Italy spent €30 million to buy a Caravaggio painting.
- The painting depicts Monsignor Maffeo Barberini, who later became Pope Urban VIII.
- Caravaggio is a famous artist known for a special lighting technique called chiaroscuro.
- The painting was privately owned in Florence before being publicly exhibited in Rome in 2024.
- It is now part of the permanent collection at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome.
- This acquisition is part of a larger Italian government plan to keep major artworks out of private hands.
- Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli emphasized the importance of making art accessible to scholars and the public.
- Caravaggio painted about 65 known works, with only three being portraits.
