Italy buys rare Caravaggio portrait for €30m

BBC News - WorldEN 2 min read 100% complete March 10, 2026 at 04:18 PM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

The Italian state has purchased a rare Caravaggio portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini, later Pope Urban VIII, for €30 million. The acquisition, one of the largest sums Italy has paid for an artwork, is part of a government plan to preserve national cultural heritage and prevent major artworks from being acquired by private collectors. Painted around 1598, the portrait was previously held in a private collection in Florence and first exhibited publicly in Rome in 2024. The painting, one of only three known Caravaggio portraits, has been moved to the Palazzo Barberini in Rome, the historic home of the Barberini family, where it will be displayed with other works by the artist. The Culture Minister stated the purchase aims to make art history masterpieces accessible to scholars and enthusiasts.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Florence 40% Ministry of Culture 40% Palazzo Barberini 40% Alessandro Giuli 50% Rome ×260% Pope Urban VIII 60% Monsignor Maffeo Barberini 70% Italy 80% Caravaggio ×590%

Keywords

caravaggio 100% painting 90% italy 70% artwork 70% portrait 60% private collection 50% cultural heritage 50% art history 50% baroque 40% palazzo barberini 40%