ROME (AFP) — A wooden crucifix attributed to Michelangelo and acquired by the Italian government for a fraction of its theoretical market value went on display Tuesday at the Italian parliament.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano described the crucifix as "a work of supreme beauty" as it was unveiled by Culture Minister Sandro Bondi and lower house speaker Gianfranco Fini in the parliament's grand Sala della Regina.
"The government has ... rendered a service to our country's great cultural and artistic heritage" by acquiring the work, Fini said.
Standing some 41 centimetres (16 inches) high and sculpted from limewood, the crucifix was acquired by the Italian government on December 1 for 3.25 million euros (4.48 million dollars).
The crucifix, dating from around 1495, is thought to have a market value of 30 million euros, but the government exercised its right of preemption to acquire the object and prevent it from falling into foreign possession.
Its owner, an antique dealer in northern Turin, had bought it from a Florentine family, according to the ANSA news agency.
The public can view the sculpture at the Italian parliament free until January 23.
Bondi said the work may travel next to the National Gallery in Washington "to pay homage to the new president Barack Obama," who is to take office on January 20.
Vatican curator Antonio Paolucci has told ANSA that there is no documentation proving that the crucifix is by Michelangelo, but "it is very reasonable" to attribute it to the Renaissance master.
The sculpture's permanent home will be a museum in the celebrated artist's native Florence, ANSA said.
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