Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ROME, Feb 20, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Italy's Cultural Heritage Ministry Monday debunked rumors that a priceless Caravaggio loaned by Rome for an exhibit in Milan was vandalized.
"Reports that someone poked a hole in the canvas with a pen are completely without foundation," a ministry spokesman told ANSA.
"The Madonna" masterpiece did suffer some slight flaking on a piece of the canvas, which will be glued back on, the ministry said. The painting was restored seven years ago.
The top attraction in the Milan exhibit entitled "Caravaggio and Europe" was returned to Rome Monday, ANSA said.
Although the damage was deemed by an expert to be "microscopic," the heritage ministry said it has contacted insurer Lloyds of London for compensation. The painting was insured for 25 million euros (about $29 million).
The Madonna di Loreto is one of Caravaggio's most famous works, painted in 1604-1606, and hangs in the Cavalletti Chapel of the church of Sant'Agostino, near Rome's Piazza Navona.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
