The National Gallery of Ireland will mark the 25th anniversary of the unveiling of one of the greatest art discoveries of the twentieth century, Caravaggio’s masterpiece ‘The Taking of Christ’, with a visit from President of Ireland Michael D Higgins today (Thursday 15th November 2018).

President Higgins was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht at the time of the discovery and was present at the official unveiling in the Gallery on 16th November 1993.

For the purposes of a photocall, President Higgins will pose alongside the painting with former Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Raymond Keaveney; Director, Sean Rainbird and staff from the Gallery; as well as Noel Barber SJ; and Professor Richard Spear, Professor Emeritus, Oberlin College, and Affiliate Research Professor, University of Maryland.

The painting, which dates back to 1602, was presumed lost, known only through copies and from descriptions by Caravaggio’s biographers.

However, in August 1990, the Gallery’s senior conservator, Sergio Benedetti, after being invited by Fr Noel Barber to inspect some paintings in one of the houses of the Jesuit Fathers on Leeson Street, recognised the subject and composition of one painting as that of the ‘lost’ painting.

Three years of meticulous research, analysis and consultation with international experts followed to authenticate and conserve the masterpiece.

Commenting, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Sean Rainbird said: “It is a great honour to welcome President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins to the Gallery to mark 25 years since the unveiling of Caravaggio’s ‘The Taking of Christ’ to the Irish nation.

"This rediscovered masterpiece has a special place in the Gallery and we remain indebted to the Irish Jesuit community for their continued generosity in making the work available on loan.”

To celebrate the anniversary, a series of free events will take place in the Gallery on Thursday, 15th November:
· In Room 41, beside the painting, a display of material from the Gallery’s Library and Archives, illuminating the history of the painting from its commission for the Roman Marquis Ciriaco Mattei, at the end of 1602, to the present day.
· 2pm and 4pm: Two screenings of Private Life of a Masterpiece: 'The Taking of Christ' by Caravaggio, a BBC art documentary investigating the painting and revealing the intricate details of the artist's life.
· 5.30pm: Caravaggio 25 Conversation with Noel Barber SJ in conversation with former Director of the Gallery Raymond Keaveney, discussing the rediscovery of Caravaggio's masterpiece in the Jesuit house in Dublin. The discussion will be led by broadcaster Marian Finucane.
· 6.30pm: Caravaggio lecture with Professor Richard Spear, Professor Emeritus, Oberlin College, and Affiliate Research Professor, University of Maryland.
· 4.30pm-8.30pm: Thursday Lates \ Caravaggio 25, a night of ’90s nostalgia, with music from Nialler9, special guided tours, pop-up performances by musicians from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, dramatic shadow-puppet performances by Tales from the Shadows, nail art by Tropical Popical and Italian-inspired food and drinks.

For more information see: www.nationalgallery.ie