Italy Acquires Caravaggio Masterpiece

0:00Here's more world news for March 10th. Italy has just acquired a rare portrait by Caravaggio of Mafeo Barberini, who later became Pope Urban the Eighth. Painted around 1598, the artwork was confirmed as Caravaggio's in 1963. After more than a year of talks, the Italians stayed body from a private collection, and it will join the permanent display at Rome's Palazzo Barberini. This purchase builds on Italy's push to bolster its cultural treasures. It follows the recent addition of Antonello da Messina's Exi Homo to public collections. Officials see it as a key step in making major art pieces available for everyone to study and enjoy. Culture Minister Alessandro Giulie called the painting a work of exceptional importance. He highlighted how it marked a turning point in Caravaggio's modern comeback and strengthened Italy's hold on his masterpieces. The portrait shows Barberini in his thirties, dressed as a cleric during his climb to power. Art critic Roberto Longhi made it famous in a 1963 article, praising it as a breakthrough

1:04in portraiture with deep psychological depth. At Palazzo Barberini, it will hang near other Caravaggio gems, like Judith slaying Holy Fernies, bought by the state back in 1971. This keeps some of the world's top Baroque art, right where scholars and visitors can see it up close. Thanks to our sponsor for helping bring you this episode, a pillow that plays your sound quietly, comfortably, effortlessly, built for nighttime listening, solypillo.com.