Because Ideas Matter...
The faculty and staff of Butler University's College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences presents
Recommended Readings
The Lost
Painting
by Jonathan Harr, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006
Reviewed by Jim Keating
You needn't be an art expert to appreciate
Jonathan Harr's book, The Lost Painting. In fact, if
you like mystery and suspense this will be as enjoyable a book as
you will find. This book tells the story of a lost
master-work by the Italian Renaissance painter, Caravaggio, and
includes a fascinating little biography of the hot-headed artist
and his personal misadventures. But the real story is about
detective work done by a young Italian, an art historian, Francesca
Cappelletti. She set out looking for clues about "The
Taking of Christ," a painting disappeared mysteriously and without
a trace in 1904. Encouraged by Caravagio-expert Sir Denis
Mahon, she methodically searched private libraries, Italian family
archives, and auction house records. Each discovery brought
her closer to the painting, but the canvas itself was
elusive.
Coincidentally, at the same time an Italian restorer, Sergio
Benedetti, working at the National Gallery in Dublin was called
upon to restore a sooty old painting from a local
monastery-one that the Fathers assumed was a well-respected
copy of Caravaggio's painting, for it was labeled as
such. But, upon examination, Benedetti, realized the copy
might be the real thing! He worked secretly to attempt
verification without letting others know what he suspected about
the priceless masterpiece in his workshop. It's a story of
intrigue and adventure...wonderful and uplifting, skillfully told,
and suitable for anyone who likes a good mystery and the history of
art.
- Jim Keating is an instructor of English at Butler
University.