Modern Mysteries

Lost Raphael masterpiece found in Scotland

By T.K. Randall
October 4, 2016 ·  5 comments

The painting was found in Haddo House in Aberdeenshire. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Fionam890 It's not every day that you come across a lost masterpiece by a renowned Italian Renaissance artist, yet this is exactly what happened to historian Bendor Grosvenor recently when he visited Haddo House in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to look at old paintings as part of a new BBC television series.

A composition of the Madonna, the painting was found tucked away in a corner of an upstairs room.

Grosvenor's research revealed that it had been purchased back in the 19th century as an original Raphael but was later downgraded in status and valued at just £20 after being misidentified as a copy attributed to Italian artist Innocenzo Francucci da Imola.As a genuine Raphael however the painting is now thought to be worth more than £20 million.

#BritainsLostMasterpieces discovers hidden painting believed to be by Raphael (once valued at £20) - https://t.co/2rNDjj3eoR @BBCFOUR pic.twitter.com/8gjDBNWr15

— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) October 4, 2016

"I thought, crikey, it looks like a Raphael," said Grosvenor. "It was very dirty under old varnish, which goes yellow. Being an anorak, I go round houses like this with binoculars and torches."

"If I hadn't done that, I'd probably have walked past it."

Source: The Guardian | Comments (5)

Tags: Raphael, Painting