A painting by the renowned 15th-century artist Sandro Botticelli, which had been recorded as missing since the 1980s, has been discovered in a home in southern Italy. The artwork, depicting the Virgin Mary and the infant Christ, was found in the town of Gragnano, near Naples, as announced by the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Naples.
Botticelli, most famous for his masterpieces “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera,” created this painting in 1470. The piece, measuring 58 x 80 centimeters (23 x 31 inches) and painted in tempera on wood, was initially commissioned for the Roman Catholic Church. Italian authorities have estimated the painting’s value at a minimum of €100 million ($109 million).
A Long-Lost Treasure
The painting originally adorned a church in the Neapolitan suburb of Santa Maria la Carità since the early 1900s. However, following the destruction of the initial church by fire, the artwork was relocated. In 1982, an earthquake caused damage to the church, prompting the parish to entrust the painting to a local family named Somma for safekeeping. According to a spokesman for the Italian Ministry of Culture, there is an official decree on file confirming this arrangement, and the Somma family is not under any criminal investigation.
For the first several years, local authorities conducted regular checks on the painting’s condition, offering advice on its maintenance and assisting in its relocation and cleaning. However, these checks ceased inexplicably in the 1990s, leading to the painting’s inclusion in the culture ministry’s inventory of missing works.
Rediscovery and Retrieval
The Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage managed to trace the painting to the Somma family this summer. Commander Massimiliano Croce explained that the family had displayed the painting in their homes over the years. With the help of the local mayor, who was already aware of the Botticelli painting’s presence in the Somma household, the police facilitated its retrieval without resorting to legal action.
“This is a work totally unknown to the public which will now be exhibited again thanks to the intervention of the State. We acted in an administrative manner, without resorting to the Prosecutor’s Office or a seizure, thanks also to the mediation of the mayor,” Croce said. He added that the family would retain the title of the artwork, which will now be preserved in a museum.
Condition and Future Exhibition
The painting, which is believed to be one of Botticelli’s final works before his death in 1510, shows the Virgin Mary with blonde hair covered by a veil, holding a chubby baby Jesus on her lap. The artwork has suffered some damage over the years, including missing paint and scratches likely caused by the 1982 earthquake and subsequent house moves.
The artwork has been removed from the farmhouse near Naples and is now under the care of a museum, where it will undergo extensive restoration. According to the ministry, this process is expected to take at least a year. Once restored, the painting will be exhibited in one of the national museums in Naples.
The Journey of a Masterpiece
The rediscovery of this Botticelli painting highlights the unpredictable journey of artworks through history. From its commission in the late 15th century to its time spent in a church, and later in the care of a local family, this masterpiece’s story underscores the importance of cultural heritage protection. The painting’s forthcoming restoration and public exhibition will allow art enthusiasts and historians to once again appreciate Botticelli’s genius.
The retrieval of the Botticelli painting from a private home in southern Italy is a significant event in the art world. It serves as a reminder of the hidden treasures that can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places. As the painting undergoes restoration and prepares for its eventual exhibition, it promises to offer a renewed glimpse into the remarkable legacy of Sandro Botticelli and his contributions to Renaissance art. This discovery not only enriches the cultural heritage of Italy but also provides an opportunity for the public to reconnect with a lost piece of history.
