A lost painting found by Francesco Rosa Romano

Abstract

Summary The article discusses a painting in a Hungarian private collection, representing The Disembarkation of Agrippina in Brindisi, which appeared in the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts for restoration in 2000. Formerly regarded the work of an unknown 17–18th century French or Italian artist, the huge canvas can undoubtlessly be attributed to the quite obscure 17th century Roman painter and etcher Francesco Rosa. It can be identified with a work known from the description of the artist's biographer, Lione Pascoli. The painting, also survived in Cesare Fanetti's etching, has been thought to be lost by the authorities of Rosa's art. The source also contains some essential information about the presentation, reception and patronage of art in 17th century Rome. Pascoli reports about the first display of the painting at the annual exhibition at the church of San Giovanni Decollato and its enthusiastic acceptance by the contemporary connoisseurs, who beleived it a work by Poussin. The text also mentions the name...