Mar 10 • 17:27 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

The Vatican Museums unveil an unpublished 'Redeemer' by El Greco hidden behind a forgery

The Vatican Museums will showcase a previously hidden painting, 'The Redeemer,' by El Greco, restored after decades under a forgery.

The Vatican Museums have announced their upcoming exhibition, featuring a newly restored painting titled 'The Redeemer,' created by the Spanish master El Greco between 1590 and 1595. This small oil on wood painting, measuring 45 x 29 cm, depicts Jesus Christ as the redeemer of the world. The work was partially obscured for many years by a forgery, which hindered its visibility and appreciation. The unveiling, scheduled for Saturday, marks a significant moment in bringing attention to this lost piece of art.

The painting was originally part of a private collection owned by Spanish intellectual and politician José Sánchez de Muniain, who donated it to Pope Paul VI in 1967. Since that time, it has been preserved in the Ambassadors' Room of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The restoration effort that led to its rediscovery highlights the importance of art conservation and research in unearthing historical treasures that have been overlooked or hidden.

The exhibition not only allows art enthusiasts and the public to experience this significant piece but also invites discussions about the authenticity of artworks and the impact of forgeries within the art world. This rediscovery reaffirms the enduring relevance of El Greco's work and contributes to the ongoing scholarly appreciation of his artistic legacy.

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