Yale discovers early Velazquez in basement
- July 04, 2010 17:10
A donated painting languished in the basement of Yale University for nearly 8 decades before a curator took notice. The unsigned work titled "The Education of the Virgin," given to Yale in 1925, was never displayed because of its poor condition. In 2002, Yale University Art Gallery was preparing for renovations when curator Laurence Kanter and art historian John Marciari took a closer look at the almost 400-year-old work.
After consulting with experts and some pigment analysis, they have deemed the painting to be likely by the 17th-century Baroque master, dating from his early years in Seville. It was probably damaged in the 1626 flood of Seville.
A two-year restoration is underway.
![Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.](/images/c/e2/2e/Jan20_Rape_of_Europa100x100_c.jpg "Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.")
