The painting by the painter Raphaël, authenticated by UNESCO, exhibited for the first time in Saint-Maximim

The table represents the portrait of Mary Magdaleneone of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. It will be exhibited for the first time officially from April 20 to May 20 at the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine basilica in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in the Var.

The owners, French collectors, had acquired this painting thinking that it was only a copy, reveals the father Florian Racine, rector of the basilica, at the microphone of BFM-Var. Yet this masterpiece of painter Raphaelwas recently authenticated by a UNESCO expert last year.

A great opportunity for the basilica

After this fabulous discovery, the group of collectors decided to leave the privilege of the first exhibition of the painting to Father Florian Racine.

“I jumped at the chance, telling myself that it is a great opportunity, both to make this painting known and then at the same time to attract people to this beautiful sanctuary dedicated to this saint, venerated in the Var and in Provence”, the rector of the basilica of Saint-Maximin tells BFM Toulon Var.

THE painting of Mary Magdalene is inspired by the face of Chiara Fancelli, the wife of Raphael’s master, Perugino.

This painting will be exhibited in the sacristy for one month, from April 20 to May 20, 2024, with security measures established with the gendarmerie, during established periods of the day: from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. then from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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