Disputed Caravaggio art given grand unveiling

The “Martyrdom of St. Lawrence” will now be subjected to X-rays and other analyses to ascertain its attribution. But art officials and scholars attending the unveiling agreed the painting did not look like a Caravaggio — but rather like the work of one or more of his followers.

“It's a very interesting painting but I believe we can rule out — at least for now — that it's a Caravaggio,” said art superintendent Rossella Vodret. “The quality of the painting doesn't hold up.”

The painting is dominated by the figure of the St. Lawrence being grilled to death, his three executioners in the backdrop.

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