ANOTHER ‘CARAVAGGIO’ HAS GONE MISSING
The Archdiocese of Palermo is already in possession of a high quality Caravaggio
reproduction since 1986, similar to the Factum-
Forward
Although SKY ARTE has elected to commission a reproduction (by Factum Arte) to replace the stolen Caravaggio Nativity painting from the Oratorio of San Lorenzo, there’s a much deeper, disturbing and more important story of which Sky Arte news should have been made aware.
Subject
Fact – The original Nativity painting by Caravaggio was stolen from the Oratorio of San Lorenzo in 1969.
Revelation -
By agreement, a well executed, carefully created, copy of that masterpiece was sent to the Archdiocese of Palermo. There is a massive growing mystery of this replacement painting's current location and control after it was delivered to the archdiocese and Archbishop of Palermo in 1986.
It has been the subject of a recent preliminary investigation that has deduced the possibility of a cover up to protect either the church's involvement from possible political pressure and public influence or a growing consensus of the influence by organized crime as a factor affecting the exact location of the painting. This possibility may impact the integrity of the Archdiocese on managing the disposition, safety and security of church art, most often considered Italian national treasures. Inquiries and information from reliable sources have also led to these conclusions.
Overview
In December 1986, with the approval and guidance of the US Italian Government Consul, the Archdioceses of Palermo, Sicily and the Holy See, a precise and accurate reproduction of the Nativity scene created by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was delivered to the offices of the Archdiocese for the Oratorio of San Lorenzo in Palermo, Sicily.
The painting was sent as a Christmas gift to the people of Palermo with the full understanding and sacred promise that it would hang over the altar of the oratorio as a replacement for the original stolen Nativity painting until the original was discovered.
The Archdioceses agreed to do so in writing.
The replacement painting's chronology from creation to final delivery is very well documented. Detailed letters of requests, directives, correspondents and numerous official inquires from the Archbishop of the Archdioceses and staff as well as letters and on-
The Media
A major article was published in Arts & Antiques Magazine in the January 1987 issue about the artist and the successful delivery of the painting to Palermo. Numerous television stories and local interviews were conducted before the painting was delivered. Just prior to delivery to Palermo, a national TV broadcast by NBC Nightly News conducted a two-
Inspiration
Personal guidance by Peter Watson, a famous British journalist who years before took a leave of absence and posed as an underworld art dealer in an attempt to recover the stolen Caravaggio original. He arranged connections with US Customs to guide and assist in obtaining an introduction to the Archdiocese of Palermo. Watson’s story about the stolen Caravaggio was the inspiration for the painting.
The Artist
The artist was Noel Baron, a San Diego, California resident. Noel had been painting for many years and as well was a professional ballet dancer, teaching and performing internationally. Once the painting was started, the Italian Cultural representative Gerlando Butti from the Los Angeles Italian Consul office personally monitored periodic monthly progress. This was to assure the quality be maintained if it was to be accepted by the Italian Government. An Italian art curator from the consul personally assisted Butti in the quality control and remarked that the paining was one of the finest reproductions he had ever seen. Exceptional dedication to the entire gamut of technique used by Caravaggio, even critical color applications and brush applications were carefully studied by the artist.
Arranging an Unveiling
Official documents from the Archbishop Salvatore Poppalardo and his representatives stated that they were anxious to see the painting as it was being completed. The painting was received by the representatives of the Archdioceses and acknowledged in writing as to how pleased they were at its quality and asked when Ms Baron would be coming to Palermo to attend the official unveiling ceremony planned just after Christmas. An NBC news crew was scheduled to be in Palermo to cover the story. Due to circumstances locally ( a transportation strike ), Ms Baron was unable to attend an informal viewing. It was noted that the Oratorio was scheduled for a major restoration and that the precise time to display the painting needed to be coordinated.
Inquiry
The painting is now unaccounted for and appears to be either misplaced, misappropriated or stolen. This is partially the opinion of a number of people such as Ludovico Gippetto (President of Extroart) whose business and mission were to aid in the recovery of numerous stolen Italian art treasures and other artefacts. Mr. Gippetto was contacted in 2011 and asked to investigate the reason why the painting was not hanging in the Oratorio as promised. There is a life size photograph created in 1968 by Enzo Brai to replace the stolen original; now a FACTUM ARTE / SKY ARTE replacement digital painting has replaced that photo, December 12, 2015). To many outside Italy, originally replacing the stolen version with just a photograph was insensitive.
Just over four years ago, there was an opportunity to query Mr. Gippetto at a symposium held in San Francisco (29 November 2012 Italian Cultural Center). He was asked about his progress and investigation concerning the painting. He seemed quietly nervous about the current disposition of the painting. He recommended that great care should be taken regarding any inquires made as it possibly involved organized crime. He seemed very reluctant to discuss the matter but indicated he may do so at a later date.
A personal associate connected with a U.S. law enforcement commission, conducted a brief preliminary inquiry on the location of the painting while visiting Palermo. He said many of his questions at the oratorio brought about great uneasiness. It appears that no one questioned, had any idea about what he is talking about (as claimed) or were outwardly very nervous about answering inquires. It appears many were afraid to help or become involved; some were outwardly shaken. Mauro Sebastianeli and Manuela Amoroso (employees at the Oratorio) were questioned and they seemed to have no information about the painting but said they would inquire. Promises by any representatives of the Archdioceses or the Oratorio staff for more information have never materialized.
The Vatican Email (E-
An Email was sent to Father Mark Haydu, LC – International Coordinator / VATICAN OFFICE Patrons Office in the Vatican Museums. Details essentially similar to this letter were sent 19 August 2012. No response to that e-
Email to Cardinal Paolo Romeo Archbishop of Palermo
An e-
A copy was also sent to Apostolic Nunciature of Holy See (Vatican City) in Washington DC, United States – as well as to Director: Francesca Valente – Italian Cultural Institute – Los Angeles CA. All inquires to the church or Italian Consul went unanswered.
Communication with Italian Police
A letter to Archbishop Poppalardo written on October 10, 1986 outlines the process of the best way to fund the shipping cost of the painting cost of the painting. Ultimately, The artist paid for the shipping herself. Once shipped, communication was established with Italian police officers in Rome, ( Officers Di Vittorio and Balpassi ) and they relayed that they had contacted the Cardinal Pappalardo. Balpassi passed on the message; “His Eminence Cardinal Salvador Pappalardo, of Palermo, is very happy and excited to hear of your offer of paying the shipping and would like to have the painting as soon as possible. Again, he is very, very happy about your gift to the church.”
Responsibility of the Roman Curia
The responsibility of the Church to keep a careful record and accounting for all possessions is paramount. It is interesting to note that the Roman Curia (The Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church) is an institution that guards the historical and artistic patrimony of the entire Church. They are responsible for the disposition of all art in the church. It is possible they seem to be also unaware of this painting.
There are a few reasons why this reproduction
copy is not hanging in the oratorio:
● The painting was mishandled thus damaged, making it unsuitable to hang.
● The painting was not hung due to a political reason or public pressure. It has been suggested that because of certain traditional bias, some Italians resented the creator (artist) as an outsider of the Italian Cultural norm. The artist is a US national and also a woman.
● The painting is being stored secretively in the local Curio for consideration at a later date.
● The painting has been misappropriated and is now hanging possibly in some religious library, hall or a cleric's private residence or other private location.
● The painting has been stolen or commandeered by a criminal element and the church is unwilling or embarrassed to publicly admit it.
A Contest
It is eye-
One might think, of all the Art Appreciation Associations, they would have conducted some research prior to organizing such a contest. One of the judges was a regent of the Oratorio of San Lorenzo, Maria Luisa Montaperto. Why was she not knowledgeable of the painting created more than 20 years before and in the possession of the Archdioceses?
Without being judgmental, the contest had one invited artist because of the hundreds of entries were not “deemed feasible” The chosen one with the aptitude to deliver a ‘new figurative painting’ is a talented artist from Palermo, Francesco De Grandi. Though his entry mirrors an angel in the Nativity, over all, does it fulfill the Museum Association’s quest for a creative homage to Caravaggio? It plainly appears
they settled for something I believe, they never expected; changing the angel’s banner from words that honored God to honoring a name of the very competition itself; “NEXT”. Under the definition of figurative painting, the same angel would have been entirely different. His portfolio reflects good craftsmanship but I wonder what the clergy felt with the constant reminder on display for a year that trading the words honoring God with a name for a contest was what they had in mind in honoring and sanctifying Caravaggio.
A Key to the Location
Though many people involved have since died, Monsignor Giuseppe Pecoraro (maybe a Cardinal now) is living and still has full knowledge of the entire process. He wrote the promissory letter that confirmed the Archdiocese would hang and display the painting. His signature appears on official documents. He was the treasurer of the Archdiocese at the time of delivery and wrote correspondents on behalf of the Archbishop. He was present at the Archdiocese when the painting was delivered.
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Personal Note
A plan to contact the Police in Palermo is now scheduled with the position that the painting has disappeared under strange and possibly unlawful circumstances. The painting, since it was accepted by the Italian government as the replacement to the original Caravaggio, would most likely be considered a national treasure according to Italian Vice Council Roberto Ruocco. San Diego legal representative.
Mr. Ruocco felt the mystery should be pursued and suggested early in the investigation his contacts within the RAI news agency do an investigative story. RAI came back with great trepidation saying that it would be too dangerous to proceed because of possible mafia influence. It was also advised by Lynda Albertson, Chief Executive Officer -
Further information including documentation, images and biographic outlines is available. Also, a complete video of the art created by Noel Baron can be viewed at www.waveourflag.com. Many additional documents will also be available.
The NBC news broadcast about the artist and the painting may be seen at www.waveourflag.com or also on YouTube.com at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gc_LgPlwyg
Update
It was reported that SKY ARTE a London-
Noel Baron is the artist who created the reproduction of the Nativity scene. I have spent some time alerting a few media journals concerning this investigation. I am frankly stunned that if indeed SKY ARTE (which has an excellent reputation) had either missed or chosen to ignore key people like Art Recovery Specialist Ludovico Gippetto in their journalistic approach in researching this story. Had they asked, then they would have known about the painting.
Since Noel's passing in 2006 I have attempted to discover the truth about this situation. Again, I contend that there is either a major cover up, blind apathy or fear of reprisal to many connected and involved in this mystery based on information to date.
I believe this situation needs to be explored and thoroughly vetted by the Carabinieri TPC to locate and expose the truth concerning the actions of the Archdiocese of Palermo in their promise to display a timeless reproduction in honor of a great Italian artist, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.
It is my hope that this report leads to further inquires and investigations.
I welcome your comments.
Barry Baron
Political Media Consultant
Former Investigator – Maryland Bureau of Investigation
Former US Presidential Photographer
Member – San Diego County Crime Commission
San Diego, California
barry@waveourflag.com
media@waveourflag.com
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