Latest news with #Donatello
Observer
2 hours ago
- General
- Observer
Lost Donatello Sculpture Discovered in Slovakia Raises Questions About Authenticity and Heritage
A bust attributed to Renaissance master Donatello has re-emerged in Slovakia after falling into obscurity following World War II, but the country's nationalist government has sparked anger by stowing it away in a ministry building. The sculpture of Italian noblewoman Cecilia Gonzaga spent centuries in a manor house in central Slovakia, whose owners, the noble Csaky family, left it behind when they fled the advancing World War II front in 1945. Moved about and ultimately forgotten in the aftermath, it was sitting in a depository at the Spis Museum in the eastern town of Levoca when art historian Marta Herucova stumbled across it. The bust had been marked "unknown author". But Herucova noticed the base was inscribed with the words: "Ceciliae Gonzagae opvs Donatelli" (Cecilia Gonzaga, a work by Donatello). If confirmed, it would be only the eighth artwork signed by the Italian Renaissance sculptor to be discovered worldwide. Herucova made the find in 2019, but it was only announced in February -- surprising the country. "Who would expect an original Donatello to appear in Slovakia?" former museum director Maria Novotna told AFP. But the bust is now a subject of controversy. Nationalist Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova decided to remove it from the museum and bring it to an unknown location in late May, citing security concerns. The move dismayed critics and art historians, who say the bust needs expert conservation and research to confirm if it is really by Donatello (1386-1466). Slovak art historian Marta Herucova poses for a picture in Bratislava, Slovakia on April 28, 2025. A marble bust attributed to Italian Renaissance artist Donatello depicting Cecilia Gonzaga, a known Italian noblewoman, had spent centuries in a former manor house in central Slovakia, whose owners, the noble Csaky family, left the bust behind when they fled the advancing World War II front in 1945. Later, it was moved to the Spis Museum in Levoca. Art historian Marta Herucova in 2019 found the work marked "unknown author" while working on the museum's 19th-century collection. She suspected forgery, but the material, details, and the inscription were all too telling. If confirmed, the statue would only be the eighth signed Donatello artwork discovered worldwide. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) - 'Second expropriation' - A group of cultural sector representatives including Count Moritz Csaky has meanwhile lobbied for the bust to go on display. Csaky said in a statement on Monday that his family did not make any claim for restitution but cautioned "against individual artefacts becoming the plaything of power-political or commercial speculations". "I hope that the bust will not become the victim of a second expropriation and will once again find a dignified and honourable place in the Spis Museum," he added. The bust has an epic backstory. After the Csaky family fled, Soviet troops looted their house, which then became a juvenile detention centre for girls after the communist government took over what was then Czechoslovakia in 1948. The girls played with the bust and even defined its eyes with blue pen, said Peter Cizmar, the son of a former guardian. In 1975, artwork still surviving at the centre was moved to the nearby Spis Museum. Attributed to an unknown 19th-century artist, the bust "was put in a depository and had not left it since", said former director Novotna, an art historian. Novotna was in charge of the museum catalogue as a young woman, and now regrets she did not have time to research the item as she was swamped with work. - Dinner companion - In 2019, Herucova was working on the museum's 19th-century collection when she found the piece. "The bust just came up," she said. After noticing the inscription, she started in-depth research. She suspected forgery, but the material, details and inscription were all too telling, she said. "Even artists who made Renaissance-style busts never signed them in the name of the original author," Herucova told AFP. She wrote about the finding in the French art history magazine Revue de l'Art, waiting for someone to contest the bust's origin -- which has not happened. Herucova also contacted Csaky, who had no clear recollection of its origin either, as his family left for Vienna when he was 11. But he did recall seeing the bust on a porch where the family dined in summer. "He said there used to be two original Gothic statues next to it, which are also in the museum today," Herucova said. - 'Safe and protected' - Herucova also contacted Italian art history professor Francesco Caglioti, who voiced doubt about the authorship but declined to elaborate. She is now pinning hopes on research in cooperation with foreign institutions. But for now, the bust is hidden away. Simkovicova, the culture minister who ordered it be moved with the help of a police commando, said it was "now safe and protected". Police chief Jana Maskarova later said the bust was at an interior ministry centre in Topolcianky, central Slovakia. Simkovicova promised to display the bust when "conditions are favourable". Herucova hopes the ministry will not try to revamp the bust, which should retain its patina, she said. "It's supposed to go to a professional place where they know how to do lab analyses." —AFP
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Signs removed at family business pizza takeaway as building listed for sale
SIGNS have been removed from a family business pizza takeaway in Warrington, as the building is listed for sale. Signage has been removed in recent weeks on the Don Quattro building, located at Fearnhead Cross on Insall Road. The business is a sister venue for the ever-popular Donatello Italian restaurant, which opened on Orford Lane in 1996. Don Quattro opened in spring 2022, due to the success of Donatello takeaways during the Covid pandemic, and it was hoped that this would be the first of a few takeaway venues in the town. However, the 982 square-foot building has been listed for sale with estate agents Morgan Williams Commercial, with offers in the region of £120,000 considered. The listing states: 'We are delighted to bring to market this wonderful leasehold business for sale. 'The property is a prominent detached former pizza takeaway, suitable for similar retail trades. 'Inside, the unit is fully refurbished and contains high-quality equipment, which is available for purchase. Signs have been removed from the Don Quattro pizza takeaway building in Fearnhead 'The fixtures and fittings list is extensive, and it includes items such as an artisan rotating base pizza oven, full extraction system, and CCTC. 'The property benefits from its own private car park, which can hold approximately seven cars at one time. 'Kitchen and prep areas are well stocked with equipment that forms part of the sale. 'The property is currently trading by our clients as an established pizzeria business, and it will be ideal for a similar use or other takeaway food businesses. 'Our client is the current owner of the business, and they are looking for offers in the region of £120,000 to take full ownership of the lease and fixtures and fittings. 'The purchaser will be assigned the existing, long-term FRI lease direct from the landlord, whereby the current rent passing is £30,000 per annum. 'The property benefits from planning consent under application number 2021/39225, which permits takeaway trade between the hours of 5pm to 11pm, Monday to Friday, midday to 11.30pm on Saturdays, and midday to 11pm on Sundays and bank holidays.'
eNCA
a day ago
- General
- eNCA
Bust attributed to Donatello splits Slovakia
A bust attributed to Renaissance master Donatello has re-emerged in Slovakia after falling into obscurity following World War II, but the country's nationalist government has sparked anger by stowing it away in a ministry building. The sculpture of Italian noblewoman Cecilia Gonzaga spent centuries in a manor house in central Slovakia, whose owners, the noble Csaky family, left it behind when they fled the advancing World War II front in 1945. Moved about and ultimately forgotten in the aftermath, it was sitting in a depository at the Spis Museum in the eastern town of Levoca when art historian Marta Herucova stumbled across it. The bust had been marked "unknown author". But Herucova noticed the base was inscribed with the words: "Ceciliae Gonzagae opvs Donatelli" (Cecilia Gonzaga, a work by Donatello). If confirmed, it would be only the eighth artwork signed by the Italian Renaissance sculptor to be discovered worldwide. Herucova made the find in 2019, but it was only announced in February -- surprising the country. "Who would expect an original Donatello to appear in Slovakia?" former museum director Maria Novotna told AFP. But the bust is now a subject of controversy. Nationalist Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova decided to remove it from the museum and bring it to an unknown location in late May, citing security concerns. The move dismayed critics and art historians, who say the bust needs expert conservation and research to confirm if it is really by Donatello (1386-1466). - 'Second expropriation' - A group of cultural sector representatives including Count Moritz Csaky has meanwhile lobbied for the bust to go on display. Csaky said in a statement on Monday that his family did not make any claim for restitution but cautioned "against individual artefacts becoming the plaything of power-political or commercial speculations". "I hope that the bust will not become the victim of a second expropriation and will once again find a dignified and honourable place in the Spis Museum," he added. AFP | JOE KLAMAR The bust has an epic backstory. After the Csaky family fled, Soviet troops looted their house, which then became a juvenile detention centre for girls after the communist government took over what was then Czechoslovakia in 1948. The girls played with the bust and even defined its eyes with blue pen, said Peter Cizmar, the son of a former guardian. In 1975, artwork still surviving at the centre was moved to the nearby Spis Museum. Attributed to an unknown 19th-century artist, the bust "was put in a depository and had not left it since", said former director Novotna, an art historian. Novotna was in charge of the museum catalogue as a young woman, and now regrets she did not have time to research the item as she was swamped with work. - Dinner companion - In 2019, Herucova was working on the museum's 19th-century collection when she found the piece. "The bust just came up," she said. After noticing the inscription, she started in-depth research. She suspected forgery, but the material, details and inscription were all too telling, she said. "Even artists who made Renaissance-style busts never signed them in the name of the original author," Herucova told AFP. She wrote about the finding in the French art history magazine Revue de l'Art, waiting for someone to contest the bust's origin -- which has not happened. Herucova also contacted Csaky, who had no clear recollection of its origin either, as his family left for Vienna when he was 11. But he did recall seeing the bust on a porch where the family dined in summer. "He said there used to be two original Gothic statues next to it, which are also in the museum today," Herucova said. - 'Safe and protected' - Herucova also contacted Italian art history professor Francesco Caglioti, who voiced doubt about the authorship but declined to elaborate. She is now pinning hopes on research in cooperation with foreign institutions. But for now, the bust is hidden away. Simkovicova, the culture minister who ordered it be moved with the help of a police commando, said it was "now safe and protected". Police chief Jana Maskarova later said the bust was at an interior ministry centre in Topolcianky, central Slovakia. Simkovicova promised to display the bust when "conditions are favourable". Herucova hopes the ministry will not try to revamp the bust, which should retain its patina, she said. "It's supposed to go to a professional place where they know how to do lab analyses."
Business Times
a day ago
- General
- Business Times
Bust attributed to Donatello splits Slovakia
[Bratislava] A bust attributed to Renaissance master Donatello as re-emerged in Slovakia after falling into obscurity following World War II, but the country's nationalist government has sparked anger by squirrelling it away in a ministry building. The sculpture of Italian noblewoman Cecilia Gonzaga spent centuries in a manor house in central Slovakia, whose owners, the noble Csaky family, left behind when they fled the advancing World War II front in 1945. Moved about and ultimately forgotten in the aftermath, it was sitting in a depository at the Spis Museum in the eastern town of Levoca when art historian Marta Herucova stumbled across it. The bust had been marked 'unknown author'. But Herucova noticed the base was inscribed with the words: 'Ceciliae Gonzagae opvs Donatelli' (Cecilia Gonzaga, a work by Donatello). If confirmed, it would be only the eighth artwork signed by the Italian Renaissance sculptor discovered worldwide. Herucova made the find in 2019, but it was announced only in February – surprising the country. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'Who would expect an original Donatello to appear in Slovakia?' former museum director Maria Novotna told AFP. But the bust is now a subject of controversy. Nationalist Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova decided to remove it from the museum and take it to an unknown location in late May, citing security. The move dismayed critics and art historians, who said the bust needs expert conservation and research to confirm if it is really by Donatello (1386-1466). War story The bust has an epic backstory. After the Csaky family fled, Soviet troops looted their house, which then became a juvenile detention centre for girls after the communist government took over former Czechoslovakia in 1948. The girls played with the bust and even defined its eyes with a blue pen, said Peter Cizmar, the son of a former guardian. In 1975, artwork still surviving at the centre was moved to the nearby Spis Museum. Attributed to an unknown 19th-century artist, the bust 'was put in a depository and had not left it since', said former director Novotna, an art historian. Novotna was in charge of the museum catalogue as a young worker, and now bemoans a lack of time for research as she was swamped with work. Dinner companion In 2019, Herucova was working on the museum's 19th-century collection when she found the piece. 'The bust just came up,' she said. After noticing the inscription, she started in-depth research. She suspected forgery but the material, details and inscription were all too telling, she said. 'Even artists who made Renaissance-style busts never signed them in the name of the original author,' Herucova told AFP. She wrote about the finding in the French art history magazine Revue de l'Art, waiting for someone to contest the bust's origin – which has not happened. Herucova also contacted Count Moritz Csaky, who had no clear recollection of its origin either, as his family left for Vienna when he was 11. But he did recall seeing the bust placed on the porch, where the family dined in summer. 'He said there used to be two original Gothic statues next to it, which are also in the museum today,' Herucova said. 'Safe and protected' Herucova also contacted Italian art history professor Francesco Caglioti, who voiced doubt about the authorship but declined to elaborate. She is now pinning hopes on research in cooperation with foreign institutions. But for now, the bust is hidden away. Simkovicova, the culture minister who ordered it to be moved with the help of a police commando, said it was 'now safe and protected'. Police chief Jana Maskarova later said the bust was at an interior ministry centre in Topolcianky, central Slovakia. Simkovicova promised to display the bust when 'conditions are favourable'. Herucova hopes the ministry will not try to revamp the bust, which should retain its patina, she said. 'It's supposed to go to a professional place where they know how to do lab analyses.' Emancipated noblewoman Research suggests the bust was made when Cecilia Gonzaga (1426-1451) became engaged to influential politician Oddantonio da Montefeltro. Her father made the match, seeking to bolster relations between the families, but the well-educated girl chose a life in a convent over marriage. It is known that her brother commissioned artworks from Donatello. The Gonzagas later fostered strong ties with the imperial court of Vienna, and were united by marriage with the Csaky family. Some studies suggested that the bust was made after Cecilia Gonzaga became a nun, possibly based on an earlier coin bearing her likeness. Novotna said she believed the bust was Donatello's work. 'But we need further research, and precisions and evaluations will definitely be made in the decades to come. You don't find works like this every day, do you?' AFP
News.com.au
a day ago
- General
- News.com.au
Bust attributed to Donatello splits Slovakia
A bust attributed to Renaissance master Donatello re-emerges in Slovakia after falling into obscurity following World War II, but the country's nationalist government sparks anger by squirrelling it away in a ministry building. The sculpture of Italian noblewoman Cecilia Gonzaga spent centuries in a manor house in central Slovakia, whose owners, the noble Csaky family, left it behind when they fled the advancing World War II front in 1945. Moved about and ultimately forgotten in the aftermath, it was sitting in a depository at the Spis Museum in the eastern town of Levoca when art historian Marta Herucova stumbled across it. The bust had been marked "unknown author". But Herucova noticed the base was inscribed with the words: "Ceciliae Gonzagae opvs Donatelli" (Cecilia Gonzaga, a work by Donatello). If confirmed, it would be only the eighth artwork signed by the Italian Renaissance sculptor discovered worldwide. Herucova made the find in 2019, but it was only announced in February -- surprising the country. "Who would expect an original Donatello to appear in Slovakia?" former museum director Maria Novotna told AFP. But the bust is now a subject of controversy. Nationalist Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova decided to remove it from the museum and bring it to an unknown location in late May, citing security. The move dismayed critics and art historians, who say the bust needs expert conservation and research to confirm if it is really by Donatello (1386-1466). - War story - The bust has an epic backstory. After the Csaky family fled, Soviet troops looted their house, which then became a juvenile detention centre for girls after the communist government took over former Czechoslovakia in 1948. The girls played with the bust and even defined its eyes with blue pen, said Peter Cizmar, the son of a former guardian. In 1975, artwork still surviving at the centre was moved to the nearby Spis Museum. Attributed to an unknown 19th-century artist, the bust "was put in a depository and had not left it since", said former director Novotna, an art historian. Novotna was in charge of the museum catalogue as a young worker, and now bemoans a lack of time for research as she was swamped with work. - Dinner companion - In 2019, Herucova was working on the museum's 19th-century collection when she found the piece. "The bust just came up," she said. After noticing the inscription, she started in-depth research. She suspected forgery, but the material, details and inscription were all too telling, she said. "Even artists who made Renaissance-style busts never signed them in the name of the original author," Herucova told AFP. She wrote about the finding in the French art history magazine Revue de l'Art, waiting for someone to contest the bust's origin -- which has not happened. Herucova also contacted Count Moritz Csaky, who had no clear recollection of its origin either, as his family left for Vienna when he was 11. But he did recall seeing the bust placed on the porch, where the family dined in summer. "He said there used to be two original Gothic statues next to it, which are also in the museum today," Herucova said. - 'Safe and protected' - Herucova also contacted Italian art history professor Francesco Caglioti, who voiced doubt about the authorship but declined to elaborate. She is now pinning hopes on research in cooperation with foreign institutions. But for now, the bust is hidden away. Simkovicova, the culture minister who ordered it be moved with the help of a police commando, said it was "now safe and protected". Police chief Jana Maskarova later said the bust was at an interior ministry centre in Topolcianky, central Slovakia. Simkovicova promised to display the bust when "conditions are favourable". Herucova hopes the ministry will not try to revamp the bust, which should retain its patina, she said. "It's supposed to go to a professional place where they know how to do lab analyses." - Emancipated noblewoman - Research suggests the bust was made when Cecilia Gonzaga (1426-1451) became engaged to influential politician Oddantonio da Montefeltro. Her father made the match, seeking to bolster relations between the families, but the well-educated Cecilia chose a life in a convent over marriage. It is known that Cecilia's brother commissioned artworks from Donatello. The Gonzagas later fostered strong ties with the imperial court of Vienna and were united by marriage with the Csaky family. Some studies suggest the bust was made after Cecilia became a nun, possibly based on an earlier coin bearing her likeness. Novotna said she believed the bust was Donatello's work.
