Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Caravaggio 'imitation' found to be the real thing

Arifa Akbar
Thursday 09 November 2006 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

For centuries the atmospheric oil painting depicting biblical figures was viewed as a remarkably adept imitation of a Caravaggio masterpiece that was believed to have been lost.

It was only when The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew was being cleaned at the Royal Collection's conservation studio for inclusion in next year's Art of Italy' exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, that experts made an astonishing discovery: the painting was an original Caravaggio.

A spokeswoman said: "In recent years the general view has been that the picture records a Caravaggio design and is a copy of a lost original.

"Several scholars have now expressed positive views as to the work's authorship and importance and it is now believed to be the original."

Caravaggio (1571-1610) is considered the first great representative of the Baroque school of art.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in