Antonello da Messina acquired by Italian State?

February 9 2026

Image of Antonello da Messina acquired by Italian State?

Picture: Sotheby's

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

The Italian art press are drawing attention to a Facebook post from the Fondazione Federico Zeri which claims that the Italian state have acquired Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo. The picture was withdrawn from last week's sale at Sotheby's New York. Several other social media posts from Italian cultural figures, some of which have been subsequently deleted, also seem to support this notion. An official announcement is still lacking. More news as and when it appears.

Update - Sotheby's have released an update that the painting was indeed acquired by the Italian state for $14.9m (which presumably includes commission).

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