CITTA DI CASTELLO REVEALS “NEW” SIGNORELLI
Year-long restoration work carried out on an obscure altarpiece at the Umbria town of Città di Castello has revealed that it is an authentic masterpiece by the great Renaissance artist Luca Signorelli, defined as “artist of light and poetry” at the recent exhibition in Cortona celebrating the 500th anniversary of his death.
Stored in the 16th century Palazzo Vitelli alla Canonica at Città di Castello with other art works considered of minor interest, the painting has now been definitely identified as an authentic Signorello, after a routine cleaning and restoration operation, which included peeling off subsequent “improvements” and modifications.
The neglected masterpiece has had a chequered history. Napoleon intended to carry it off to Paris to be part of the Louvre collection, but it was considered too big for transportation. It also escaped being sequestered by Hitler for his planned museum of art in Berlin. After the war, the Altarpiece, dedicated to St. Cecilia, languished among a store of what were considered minor works by studio apprentices.
The painting, which is striking for its use of brilliant colours, joins other works by Signorelli at Città di Castello, including his celebrated masterpiece “The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian.”
Info: Tel. +39.07554202 www.cittadicastelloturismo.it
