In a remarkable turn of events, a painting that had long languished in obscurity, misattributed to an unknown French School artist and relegated to a dusty storeroom at Molesey, England’s Hampton Court Palace, has been unveiled as an extraordinarily rare masterpiece by the renowned Italian Baroque painter, Artemisia Gentileschi. Discovered by a team of dedicated curators led by Niko Munz, an art historian at the UK’s Royal Collection, the work, titled Susanna and the Elders and dating back to circa 1638–39, marks a significant addition to Gentileschi’s celebrated body of work.

The painting was found in deplorable condition, having suffered from decades of neglect. During the meticulous process of cleaning and restoration, conservators made a significant discovery on the back of the canvas—initials “CR,” representing “Carolus Rex,” the moniker for Charles I. Further research into official records unveiled that the painting was commissioned by King Charles I’s wife, Henrietta Maria, around the years 1638 or 1639. Gentileschi, at that time, was working alongside her father, Orazio, at the king’s London court. Despite being a talented artist, particularly known for her portrayal of female subjects, Artemisia Gentileschi remained somewhat overshadowed by her father until the early twentieth century, when her exceptional talent began to receive the recognition it truly deserved.

Historical accounts trace the journey of Susanna and the Elders from its initial display over the queen’s fireplace in her private chambers, eventually passing into the possession of Charles II and then finding its place at Kensington Palace. Notably, its last recorded location was in 1862 when it underwent significant restoration. Today, the masterpiece stands proudly on display at Windsor Castle, outside London, where art enthusiasts and historians alike can marvel at this reemergence of Artemisia Gentileschi’s brilliance from the depths of history and neglect.

(photo by Steven Zucker on https://www.flickr.com/photos/profzucker/49810543567)