Doug Kerr
Well-known member
A major coup occurred in late 2009 when the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, acquired The Temptation of Saint Anthony by Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni ("Michelangelo").
This is only one of four "easel painting" by the master known to exist, and is believed to be his earliest serious work, dating from perhaps his age 13.
Here we see Carla regarding the work during a recent visit to the Kimbell:
Douglas A. Kerr: Carla regards Michelangelo's The Temptation of Saint Anthony
There remains some controversy among experts as to whether this is indeed a work of Michelangelo, although there is a broad consensus that it is.
The amount paid by the Kimbell has not been disclosed, but it is reputed to be in the area of USD6M. It is considered to have been a bargain. At the time it became available, other major museums worldwide were becoming very restricted in their acquisitions owing to economic conditions. (Of course, in Texas there is always money for anything worthwhile.)
Under the auspices of the previous owner, a dealer in New York, the work had been restored and analyzed by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Here we see the work itself:
Douglas A. Kerr: Michelangelo's The Temptation of Saint Anthony
At the museum, a young man nearby said that this work would doubtless have marked the young Michelangelo as a "seriously disturbed young man". It is rather --- fanciful.
These shots were taken with our Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, by existing light. (Yes, the frame is warped - the image was fully corrected for geometric distortion.)
The Kimbell is a lovely museum and very handy for us (it is about 20 miles from our home in Weatherford). We parked at the curb in front of the museum.
A plus is that on the way home (via the most direct route) we can visit Tommy's Hamburger Grill, home of a fabulous veggieburger. The place is a big favorite with students from nearby Texas Christian University (and alumni as well), and of course the place was alive with excitement over their football team's upcoming appearance (today) at the Rose Bowl game.
Best regards,
Doug
This is only one of four "easel painting" by the master known to exist, and is believed to be his earliest serious work, dating from perhaps his age 13.
Here we see Carla regarding the work during a recent visit to the Kimbell:
Douglas A. Kerr: Carla regards Michelangelo's The Temptation of Saint Anthony
There remains some controversy among experts as to whether this is indeed a work of Michelangelo, although there is a broad consensus that it is.
The amount paid by the Kimbell has not been disclosed, but it is reputed to be in the area of USD6M. It is considered to have been a bargain. At the time it became available, other major museums worldwide were becoming very restricted in their acquisitions owing to economic conditions. (Of course, in Texas there is always money for anything worthwhile.)
Under the auspices of the previous owner, a dealer in New York, the work had been restored and analyzed by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Here we see the work itself:
Douglas A. Kerr: Michelangelo's The Temptation of Saint Anthony
At the museum, a young man nearby said that this work would doubtless have marked the young Michelangelo as a "seriously disturbed young man". It is rather --- fanciful.
These shots were taken with our Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, by existing light. (Yes, the frame is warped - the image was fully corrected for geometric distortion.)
The Kimbell is a lovely museum and very handy for us (it is about 20 miles from our home in Weatherford). We parked at the curb in front of the museum.
A plus is that on the way home (via the most direct route) we can visit Tommy's Hamburger Grill, home of a fabulous veggieburger. The place is a big favorite with students from nearby Texas Christian University (and alumni as well), and of course the place was alive with excitement over their football team's upcoming appearance (today) at the Rose Bowl game.
Best regards,
Doug