The Ministry of Culture of Italy announced on 11/3 the acquisition of "Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini", an oil-on-canvas work by Caravaggio from around 1598. The subject of the painting is the nobleman Maffeo Barberini, who later became Pope Urban VIII.

Caravaggio's (1571-1610) "Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini". Photo: AP

Alessandro Giuli, the Minister of Culture of Italy, stated that the artwork holds significant historical value, representing a turning point in the modern rediscovery of Caravaggio. The purchase also strengthens the position of Caravaggio's works within Italy's public museum system.

The acquisition, finalized after more than one year of negotiations with a private collector, is part of Italy's strategy to enhance and preserve its national cultural heritage. This initiative aims to return important art masterpieces to public collections for scholarly research and public enjoyment. Just one month prior, Italy acquired Antonello da Messina's "Ecce Homo" for 15 million USD (over 394 billion VND).

Once complete, "Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini" will be displayed alongside other Caravaggio works at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome, including the masterpiece "Judith Slaying Holofernes", which the Italian government acquired in 1971.

The "Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini" depicts Barberini in his thirties, dressed as a cleric of the Holy See, during a crucial period in his political and religious career.

The artwork gained prominence after art critic Roberto Longhi published an article in 1963 titled "The True 'Maffeo Barberini' of Caravaggio". Longhi described the painting as "one of the birth moments of modern portrait art", emphasizing how the renowned artist brought depth to the genre.

Portrait of the renowned artist Caravaggio, created by Ottavio Leoni around 1621. Photo: Storica National Geographic

Caravaggio, whose real name was Michelangelo Merisi, was a prominent Italian Baroque painter. He was known for his technique of using strong contrasts between light and shadow to create volume, depth, and drama in his works (chiaroscuro). He grew up in poverty, working in Milan before moving to Rome around 1592, where he gained attention for his religious paintings and scenes of everyday life imbued with a rebellious spirit.

Despite being one of the most studied artists in art history, the number of identified works by Caravaggio remains very limited. His life was marked by being sought after by powerful patrons while also being embroiled in conflicts and violence, leading him to flee between Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily.

Cat Tien (according to AP, Reuters)