Italy’s culture ministry has purchased the 15th-century painting *Ecce Homo* by Antonello da Messina for $14.9 million through a private agreement with Sotheby’s. The double-sided panel, featuring *Ecce Homo* on one side and *Saint Jerome* on the other, was withdrawn from auction just hours before it was scheduled to be sold in New York. The acquisition prevents the artwork from entering a private collection and secures it for public heritage.
Antonello da Messina, a Sicilian painter from the Early Italian Renaissance, is known for introducing oil painting techniques to Italy and combining Northern European realism with Italian artistic traditions. This particular piece, likely painted around 1460, is one of fewer than 40 surviving works by the artist and was probably the last in private hands.
**Why this matters**
The painting represents a rare and significant example of 15th-century Italian art, notable for its small size and double-sided design, which suggests it was used for private devotion. By acquiring it, Italy preserves an important cultural asset and ensures public access to a masterpiece that reflects the artist’s innovative style and historical influence. The artwork’s future display location is still being determined, with several major Italian museums under consideration.
Source: NewsData