Nude Christ by Michelangelo, Long forgotten, will be shown in London

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Elisabetta Povoleldo
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A “Risen Christ” by Michelangelo that fell into oblivion until 1997, when scholars attributed it to the Renaissance master. Credit Alessandro Vasari, via The National Gallery

ITALY---It might seem odd that a nearly seven-foot-tall statue of Christ by Michelangelo — and a nude one at that — would go unnoticed for centuries. But that’s what happened to “Risen Christ,” a monumental figure that was transferred to a country church about 35 miles from Rome in the 17th century and that fell into oblivion until 1997, when scholars attributed it to the Renaissance master. Father Tuderti says he is convinced that the unknown provenance of the work ensured its salvation through the ages. Both versions of the statue will be exhibited at the National Gallery (the Minerva one in a plaster cast), so that they can be studied side-by-side for the first time.[link]