Claims of rediscovered Michelangelo artwork of Christ unsettles Renaissance scholars
ROME — An independent researcher claimed on Wednesday that a marble bust of Christ in a Roman church is by Michelangelo, the latest purported attribution to the Renaissance genius who is one of the most imitated artists in the world.The unverified claims by Valentina Salerno have unsettled Renaissance scholars, especially since a recent sketch of a foot that was attributed to Michelangelo, but disputed by some as a copy, recently fetched $27.2 million at a Christie’s auction.Given the stakes — and Salerno’s suggestion that several other works can now be attributed to Michelangelo based on her documentary research — many leading experts have declined to comment.Salerno has published her theory on the commercial website academia.edu, a non-peer-reviewed social networking site academics use, and announced the first “rediscovery” at a news conference on Wednesday.The claims have drawn perhaps more attention than they normally would, given the Vatican seemed at least initially interested in them.Friday marks the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth and there are a number of exhibits, conferences and commemorations that are reviving attention about his genius and legacy.The Culture Ministry was invited to participate in Salerno’s news conference and didn’t, said the abbot of the order that runs the church, the Rev.
Franco Bergamin.The Carabinieri’s art squad refused to weigh in on the authenticity of the statue, but said it was being protected.
A laminated sign now graces the sculpture: “Alarm armed,” it reads.“We hope that this asset, which belongs to our cultural heritage regardless of whether it can be attributed to Michelangelo Buonarroti or not, is part of the national heritage that we are responsible for defending,” said Lt.Col.
Paolo Salvatori.Michelangelo Buonarroti, who lived from 1475 to 1564, created some of the most spectacular works of the Renaissance: the imposing statue of David in Florence and the delicate Pieta i...