FINDING. RAPHAEL'S SWEETHEART
A Raphael masterpiece, hidden, and unknown for more than, a hundred years and believed to depict a sweetheart of the great painter’s youth, was disclosed by the world of art by the director of the famous Borghess Gallery in Rome, says the New York ‘ Times.’ . , . . Professor Aldo de Rinaldis, head of the gallery, was authority for tbs revelation that what hitherto has been displayed as a painting ,of St; Catherine really is the work of the great Renaissance master. . Its monetary, value could not be estimated. ... For more than a hundred years this picture has been attributed to the schools of Perugino or Ghirlandaio and so listed in the gallery’s catalogue. Professor de Rinaldis, however, said X-rav Ehotographs disclosed that the head of t. Catherine and a cloak had been superimposed ' on the figure of » younger woman, holding a unicorn in What the experts believe to bo the original! painting has been restored ana was exhibited at the Borghese Gallery. It shows a beautiful bare-shouldered young woman, with‘ a. long nose, long curls, and a quizzical expression. . Authorities said the picture, probably that of a sweetheart of the artist’* early twenties, was painted about 1506, when Raphael lived in Florence. That was one of his most productive periods. Recently several experts have been working on the theory that the picture was a genuine Raphael which had been altered. The restoration, which was carried out under the direction of Professor August® Ceoconi-Principi, proved the theory, they said. Professor de Rinaldis uncovered in the archives of - the gallery two' eight-eenth-century documents that indicated that up to about 200 years ago the picture was regarded as the work of Raphael and. that it had been placed in an exhibition room with other works of his. The director said its similarity to the well-known style afid colour choices of Raphael was convincing evidence that the “ uncloaked St* Catherine- jvas pain£ed hy bis band*
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Bibliographic details
Evening Star, Issue 22620, 12 April 1937, Page 12
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322FINDING. RAPHAEL'S SWEETHEART Evening Star, Issue 22620, 12 April 1937, Page 12
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