Jonathan Harr chronicles the recovery of "The Taking of Christ," a Caravaggio masterpiece hidden in the dining room of a Jesuit residence in Dublin for decades. The narrative follows two Italian graduate students, Francesca Cappelletti and Laura Testa, who uncover obscure 17th-century ledger entries in the Mattei family archives that trace the painting's provenance. Their research intersects with the technical expertise of Sergio Benedetti, a restorer who identifies the authentic canvas beneath layers of grime and old varnish. The book details the technical process of art authentication, including chemical analysis and the examination of brushwork patterns specific to the Baroque master.
Art historians and fans of historical detective work read this account to see the practical realities of archival research and conservation science. The text reveals how chance discoveries and rigorous documentation distinguish a genuine work from a period copy. Readers gain a functional understanding of the international art market and the high stakes of attribution in major European museums. It provides a clear view of the bureaucratic and physical labor required to reclaim a lost piece of cultural history from obscurity.
Outward-looking and clear-cut; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2005
- Language
- EN
