A marble bust that has stood for centuries in one of Rome’s basilicas has been re-attributed to Michelangelo after nearly 200 years in obscurity, following a document-based investigation. The sculpture, which depicts Christ the Saviour, has been preserved in the Basilica of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura on Rome’s ancient Via Nomentana by a Catholic religious order of canons regular.
Originally attributed to Michelangelo until the early 19th century, the work later lost its association with the Renaissance master and remained unnamed until the present day. Italian independent researcher Valentina Salerno - a member of the Vatican committee for the celebrations marking the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth - has re-attributed the sculpture to the Tuscan artist.
