Germany: Raphael ‘copy’ unveiled as authentic artwork

Frankfurt’s Städel Museum is preparing to display a work by Italian Renaissance master Raphael that was once considered a copy, but is now believed to be his authentic portrait of Pope Julius II.

The portrait of the man known as the “fearsome pope” is said to have been painted between 1511 and 1512. Two other versions have been authenticated as Raphael’s work - one which hangs today in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and another in the National Gallery in London.

This third version was long thought to have been the work of an imitator and was auctioned to a private collector in 2007. The Städel museum bought it for less than market value in 2010 and authenticated it as Raphael’s following extensive research and a thorough restoration.

Other paintings and drawings by Raphael have sold for tens of millions of euros. The Frankfurt Raphael will be displayed to the public from December 15. (via The Local)