Italy purchases rare Caravaggio portrait of Maffeo Barberini for €30 million

Italy purchases rare Caravaggio portrait for €30 million

The Ministry of Culture has announced the purchase of a portrait attributed to Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, for €30 million. Painted around 1598 and portraying Monsignor Maffeo Barberini (later Pope Urban VIII), the work will become part of the museum's public collection after a previous exhibition.

Why this matters

• This is one of the few portraits attributed to Caravaggio—only about sixty works worldwide are generally recognized as his.
• The acquisition strengthens Italy's public cultural heritage and prevents the artwork from moving into a private collection.
• The painting exemplifies Caravaggio's signature chiaroscuro technique.

The Ministry said the purchase followed more than a year of negotiations and is part of a broader effort to increase public access to major works. The portrait was publicly displayed in 2024 at Palazzo Barberini in Rome and will now be integrated into the museum's permanent holdings.

Key facts

• Artist: attributed to Michelangelo Merisi (Caravaggio)
• Subject: Maffeo Barberini (future Pope Urban VIII)
• Date: circa 1598
• Purchase price: €30 million
• Destination: museum permanent collection (previously exhibited at Palazzo Barberini)

For visitors and scholars alike, this acquisition offers a valuable opportunity to study and view one of Caravaggio's rare portraits. The Ministry's move is consistent with recent efforts to secure important works for public institutions, enhancing access and safeguarding national cultural assets.