Rome CNN —A painting by the 15th-century master Sandro Botticelli, recorded as missing since the 1980s, has been found at a home in southern Italy.
The depiction of the Virgin Mary and infant Christ was discovered in a home in the town of Gragnano, near Naples, according to the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Naples.
The painting by the artist most famous for “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” is estimated by Italian authorities to be worth at least €100 million ($109 million).
“The family continues to hold the title of the work, which, however, will be preserved in a museum,” Croce added.
The Somma family declined to comment when contacted by CNN.
Persons:
Rome, Rome CNN —, Sandro Botticelli, Virgin Mary, Christ, Venus ”, Santa Maria la Carità, Massimiliano Croce, Croce, ” Croce, “, Botticelli
Organizations:
Rome CNN, Protection Unit of Naples, Primavera, Roman Catholic Church, CNN, Cultural
Locations:
Italy, Gragnano, Naples, Neapolitan, Santa, State