The curator of the Detroit Institute of the Arts discovered a new work by Spanish artist Murillo

MIDOE BROOK HALL. A casual visit to Meadow Brook Hall by the curator of the Detroit Institute of Arts led to the discovery of 17th-century magnificent work by Spanish artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Now, students of art schools in Auckland have a unique opportunity to study this amazing work.

Salvador Salort-Pons, executive director of the Detroit Institute of the Arts (IID) and curator of the European Painting Department, came to Midow Brook Hall in February this year, presenting his next lecture when he was attracted by a painting hanging in the dark the corner of the room. As it turned out, it was Murillo’s work “The Infant Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness”. Murillo, who was known for his genre scenes and religious works, created this painting around 1670.

“Murillo is considered one of the five pillars of Spanish Golden Age art. He created this sentimental masterpiece inherent in his thin thin free strokes, being in the prime of life and skill, ”said Salort-Pons. “In Spain and other European countries, he became famous among collectors who literally“ chased ”his works. Murillo was, in fact, the first world-famous Spanish artist, and this painting, “Baby John the Baptist in the Desert,” was obviously one of the painter’s first works brought to the United States. The opening of the picture was an unexpected and exciting turn of events during my visit to Meadow Brook Hall. ”

The work belongs to the collection of the University of Oklahoma (Oakland University), but the IID entered into an agreement with the University’s management regarding the participation of its specialists in art history and students of the restoration course and scientific and technical analysis in the ongoing restoration and research works.

“During the training, our students study the use of sophisticated equipment and the conduct of various experiments and analyzes related to the research and restoration of works of art. And this is a unique opportunity when they can see the real work with the world’s masterpiece of painting before he goes to his new place of honor in the gallery, ”said Salort-Pons.

After restoration work, the painting will be on loan for five more years at the Detroit Institute of the Arts before returning to Meadow Brook Hall.

The painting belonged to the Italian merchant Giovanni Bielato in the 1600s, who donated it to the Capuchin monastery in Genoa. In the 1800s, the work was sold to the family of the Duke of Westminster in London, and in 1926 entered the collection of Alfred D. Wilson, who kept it in Midow Brook Hall. The Murillo canvas was exhibited only once - at the Royal Academy in London in 1883. Now the picture is waiting for her first exhibition in the USA. Here she will be surrounded by two more works by the artist belonging to the Detroit Institute of Arts - “The Flight into Egypt” and “Immaculate Conception”.

Anna Sidorova © Gallerix.ru