Botticelli, English painting long thought to be a 19th-century fake may instead be an original

A somewhat clumsy copy of Sandro Botticelli ’s (Florence, 1445 - 1510) Madonna of the Pomegranate (Florence, 1445 - 1510), the great masterpiece preserved at the Uffizi, hitherto thought to be a 19th-century forgery, may actually be an original, made by the great Florentine artist’s workshop. Arriving at this conclusion are experts fromEnglish Heritage, a nonprofit conservation organization, who recently subjected the work, preserved at Ranger’s House in Greenwich, to restoration. During the work, a layer of yellow varnish that was clouding the pictorial surface was removed, and much brighter colors emerged than previously seen, and technical X-ray and infrared analyses ascertained that there is an underlying design to the work, and also discovered some pentimenti (a rarity for a copy). Further tests on the pigments have also found that they are compatible with those used in Botticelli’s workshop.

Rachel Turnbull, conservator of collections at English Heritage, was thus able to confirm the work’s authenticity, after discussions with experts from the Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery in London. “Being able to examine this painting closely for the first time in more than a hundred years,” the scholar remarked, speaking to the Guardian, "gave us the opportunity to take an in-depth look at the work. I immediately noticed that it had strong similarities with paintings produced by Botticelli’s workshop. Stylistically it looked too similar to be an imitation: it is indeed a work made in that period, the technique is correct, and it was executed on poplar panel, a common material at the time.

The work has been kept at the Ranger’s House in Greenwich since 1897, when it was bought by the then-owner of the mansion, tycoon Julius Wernher. The public will be able to see the painting starting April 1, when it will go back on display after the surgery is completed.

Pictured is the painting attributed to Botticelli’s workshop by English Heritage

Botticelli, English painting long thought to be a 19th-century fake may instead be an original

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.