Again.  That makes (at least) three masterpieces found in Jesuit residences, including a Caravaggio in Ireland and a Tintoretto in Pennsylvania.  We really have to start paying more attention.  Here’s the story from the BBC.

A lost painting by Renaissance artist Michelangelo has been hanging in a University of Oxford residence, an Italian scholar claims. The Campion Hall painting, which depicts the crucifixion, had been thought to be by Marcello Venusti. But Antonio Forcellino said infra-red technology had revealed the true creator of the masterpiece. It has been removed from a wall of the Jesuit academic community and sent to the Ashmolean Museum for safekeeping.

The master of Campion Hall, Father Brendan Callaghan, said: “It’s a very beautiful piece, but far too valuable to have on our wall any more.” He said he greeted the development that the work – called Crucifixion With The Madonna, St John And Two Mourning Angels – could be a Michelangelo with “a mixture of excitement and slight concern”. “Simply having it hanging on our wall wasn’t a good idea,” he explained.

James Martin, SJ

 

The Rev. James Martin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, author, editor at large at America and founder of Outreach.