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Has A Michelangelo Been Hiding At The Met?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 17, 2010
Modified Apr 17, 2010
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Apr 17, 2010
Modified Apr 17, 2010
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Has there been a Michelangelo hiding out at the Met, unrecognized, for four decades? The museum bought "St. John the Baptist Bearing Witness" in 1970 believing it was by Francesco Granacci, but now expert art historians are saying it's by Michelangelo (he and Granacci were close friends) and could be worth up to $300 million.
Everett Fahy, a former chairman of European Paintings at the museum, says, "I am confident that the only artist capable of making this splendid painting was Michelangelo"—something he believed long before retiring. He plans to publish his research and findings later this year, and admits, "people are going to say, 'This is another absurd idea.' I'm expecting that they're going to throw brickbats." Fahy's replacement at the museum, Keith Christiansen, won't really comment on his thoughts, telling the NY Post: "I don't do yes or no."
Tagged
metropolitan museum of art
michelangelo
museum
St. John the Baptist Bearing Witness
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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