The Caravaggio painting that was nearly sold for 1,500 goes on display in Madrid

A lost Caravaggio painting, called Ecce Homo, was found and restored. It was painted by the Italian master during his dark and desperate last years. The painting was bought by an anonymous purchaser for a secret amount of money. The Prado museum in Madrid authenticated the painting and displayed it until mid-October. The painting was previously owned by Spanish viceroys in Naples and later by King Philip IV. The current owner, a British national living in Spain, paid €36m for the painting. The Prado museum described the painting as one of the greatest discoveries in art history. Caravaggio's Ecce Homo reflects his final years when he fled Rome to avoid punishment. The painting is a rare find among Caravaggio's works. It is displayed alongside his other famous painting, David with the Head of Goliath, at the Prado museum. Caravaggio's unique style and use of ordinary people as models made him famous, but his controversial life also brought him notoriety. The painting was almost sold for a low price of €1,500 before experts confirmed it as a Caravaggio masterpiece. The Spanish government intervened to stop the sale. The painting will be exhibited at the Prado museum for a limited time before joining its permanent collection. The new owner agreed to loan the painting to public collections. This discovery sheds light on Caravaggio's contribution to modern painting and his lasting impact on art history.