‘Art Find of the Century’: Possible Michelangelo Painting Found Behind NY Family’s Couch
- Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:31pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A possible original Michelangelo painting stored behind a Buffalo family's home could be worth millions.
The New York Post is calling it the “the art find of the century.” If true, the Michelangelo painting stored behind a Buffalo, NY family’s couch for almost three decades could bring the family millions of dollars.
The Kober family had a special name for the painting: “The Mike.” Family legend said it was an original Michelangelo creation, depicting a slumping Jesus in the lap of his mother Mary, making it a prominent feature on the family’s wall. But when an errant tennis ball dislodged the painting sometime in the 70′s, “the Kober clan wrapped it up and tucked it away behind the sofa,” the Post reports. There it stayed for 27 years.
When one of the family’s sons retired from the Air Force in 2003, he started looking into the claim that “The Mike” was really an original. He found an art expert who thinks it is.
“I had assumed it was going to be a copy,” Antonio Forcellino, an Italian art restorer and historian, told the Post. But after flying to New York to see the piece in person, Forcellino is convinced it’s not.
“In reality, this painting was even more beautiful than the versions hanging in Rome and Florence,” he told the Post. “The truth was this painting was much better than the ones they had.”
But Forcellino didn’t just rely on his trained eye — he turned to scientific analysis to determine the origin of the painting. Forcellino told the Post that infrared and X-ray examinations of the painting show many alterations made by the artist as he changed his mind, and an unfinished portion near the Madonna’s right knee.
“The evidence of unfinished portions demonstrate that this painting never, never, never could be a copy of another painting,” Forcellino said to the Post. “No patron pays in the Renaissance for an unfinished copy.”
Forcellino has written a book featuring the painting’s story: “La Pieta Perduta,“ or ”The Lost Pieta,” already published in Italy with a U.S. version due out next year.
“I’m absolutely convinced that is a Michelangelo painting,” Forcellino added.
Since there is no way to know for sure, however, the Post quotes one expert who says the final determination of the painting’s origin will come from the “weight of experts over time.”
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Comments (95)
Buttercup
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:54pmThe only thing I ever find is dustbunnies!
Report Post »chazman
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:17pmYeah, some ‘Uncle’ brought it home from Europe during, or after, World War II. Italy is gonna want it back if it’s original.
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:13pmHow great for the family, I wonder, just wondering here, maybe one of my artworks will be stored behind a couch for 27 years and be worth millions after found. The only problem with that thought is that I will have to be dead. Hummmmmmm, let me rethink this. I tell you what; anyone want to buy some artworks and put it behind your couch for 30 years and see what happens?? I am game if you are! LOL!
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »GEW
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:43pmI bought some pottery from a potter in Ojai CA over twenty years ago, he died last year, the stuff is worth 100 times what I paid for it then. He became very famous over all these years, Otto Heino, but when he died his pieces are now worth 100 times what I paid then. Sorry guy, sad to say, “your work is worth more once you die, even in sentiment.”
Report Post »GEW
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:45pmI bought some pottery from a potter in Ojai CA over twenty years ago, he died last year, the stuff is worth 100 times what I paid for it then. He became very famous over all these years, Otto Heino. Sorry guy, sad to say, “your work is worth more once you die, even in sentiment.”
Report Post »FarmSpy
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:02pmSorry to tell you but your maid just “inherited” 20 million dollars and is not coming back. ;)
Report Post »political-realist
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:04pmI thought I’d go ahead and look behind my couch, but all I found was dust.
I’m going to have a talk with my maid come Tuesday morning.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:14amPOLITICAL REALIST flashes his green card, “I’m going to have a talk with my maid….”
So you are the one who hired Meg Whitman’s former illegal maid. Shame on you.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
t00nces2
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:01pmDid Michelangelo paint any pictures of dogs playing poker on velvet?
Is it possible to clean cat puke off of paintings on velvet?
Report Post »LEGION
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:55pmHe should buy GOLD with the money he gets. And food for a bunker. And room for my family & I.
Report Post »emsawyer
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:49pmI’m sure they cleaned behind their couch in 27 years. The article said the painting was wrapped up and tucked away. They knew it was there and cleaned around it. It’s perfect place to store a valuable painting. And I‘m sure they’ve replaced the couch at least once, maybe twice. The family legend says it’s an original, so it‘s been in the family for generations and probably came over with this guy’s ancestors on a boat.
It’s a fabulous story. I think I’d have a hard time donating it to a museum, though, even though that would be the noble thing to do. I’d want the cash. And I’d get it out of my house by now so no one breaks in to steal it. Life is too short to worry about high security because now the world knows you possess something of perceived great value.
Report Post »mrdbcooper
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:55pmOkpulot Taha Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:58pm
ROBERT W is confused,
“all I found was some doritos and a dead spider”
“all I found was some cheetos and a dead spider”
Now listen, boy, you need to make up your mind. You are confusing me.
I found half eaten gophers and cat crap. I have my husband cleaning up in there. His cat, not mine.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
My cat leaves mole buts on our sidewalk…’m still laughing 2 hours later…thanks
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:02amMR DB COOPER makes a soft landing, “My cat leaves mole buts on our sidewalk”
Oh, you must put a stop to this. Tell ya, those mole butts really make a mess of a lively game of Hopscotch.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Capt_Spalding
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:13pmGotta be a fake cuz WHEN was Michelangelo ever in New York? I rest my case.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:37amCAPTAIN SPALDING shoots an elephant in his pajamas, “Gotta be a fake cuz WHEN was Michelangelo ever in New York?”
1492 – 1494. Michelangelo hitched a ride with Columbus. Michelangelo was commissioned by John Smith to paint a portrait of fabled Pocahontas performing nude cartwheels around a wilderness area to become Jamestown. Upon Michelangelo’s return, one glance at lovely Pocahontas, dear John Smith fell in love with her, prompting him to become a sea captain who conned King James out a ship so Smith could sail away to the love of his life, Pocahontas. The rest is history.
Say, isn’t today Columbus Day holiday? Seems a good day to celebrate white washed history. Tomorrow would be officially better.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
rthudgins
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:01pmIf it is real, where did they get it? Why do they have it?
Report Post »dictionmary
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:51pmMichelangelo’s women were not beautiful–generally mannish in appearance. They may have something here. Wish them well.
Report Post »zippy
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:26pmDog gonnit did I leave that painting back behind their couch? I knew I left that old thing somewhere.
Report Post »Ahhhhh can I have that back now?
poverty.sucks
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:24pmNice set of abs!
Report Post »MikeP157
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:13pmGood thing they realized what they had before it was sold at a garage sale or something. I shudder to think of the level of hell I’d catch from my wife…
Report Post »Tyrone
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:09pmIt could have been left there by Big Foot.
Report Post »CapitalistforGod
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:42pmIt’s was either Aliens {Grays of course} Or it was left there by the Diet Dr Pepper delivery man. I think Big foot would have been too uncooth and negligent towards the care of the painting. remember, They said it was in great shape. Could have been Santa, and I rule out The Easter bunny for the same reasons as Bigfoot.
Report Post »CapitalistforGod
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:49pmForgot to mention Zippy! Coulda been left there by the old zippster!!! Duh!
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:09pmSounds to me like the so called expert is just trying to drum up sales for his book, just an observation.
Report Post »Jezreel
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:05pmYou notice how Mary is bigger than Jesus? Michaelangelo’s mind was influenced by Roman Catholoscism that perverted the word of God and gave to the world Mary worship. It may be a nice painting but I would not want it.
Report Post »Jim S
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:23pm“You notice how Mary is bigger than Jesus? Michaelangelo’s mind was influenced by Roman Catholoscism that perverted the word of God and gave to the world Mary worship.”
…..not sure what Roman Catholic church you are referring to. The Roman Catholic church I have attended for 55 years makes very clear that Mary was the mother of Jesus. As such, she was a most special human being. We ask Mary to pray to JESUS for us, we don’t pray to her. This might be compared to you asking to keep a special request/need in our prayers. I do see some Hispanic cultures who are very devoted to the memory of Mary but not above or equal to Our Lord. In any event if I stand before Christ and his biggest complaint of my life’s choices is I loved his mother to well, I will accept that punishment.
Report Post »Brandywine
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:47pmIf Mary was good enough for Jesus, than she’s good enough for me.
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:49pmI dont get some protestants views on Mary. One day I had a protestant ask me “why do you Catholics worship Mary?“ I said ”Do you admit that you worship Jesus?” He said yes. I said you will never find a Catholic say I worship Mary. If we worshiped her we would readily admit it. We honor her as the mother of God. She was given to us as a mother by the Lord himself “John behold your mother, mother behold your son”
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:00pm@ ROBERT W: Here are a couple scriptures for you to defend Catholicism with, although I would be surprised if they are even in the Catholic Bible.
(1 Timothy 4:1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
(Matthew 23:9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Don’t that debunk the teaching of the Catholics? If you deny that you pray to Mary, then where did the Hail Mary prayer come from? Don’t forget that Mary made it to heaven the same way we all do. ( Romans 10: 9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Ephesians 2: 8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Before you straighten out us Protestants, get your doctrinal facts straight. Read the King James Version of the Bible before it’s too late for you to get saved for real. :0 Coffee’s on!
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:16pmWise penny- what are you talking about? I denied worshipping Mary not praying to. You rely is rambling and doesnt make sense.
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:17pmI meant reply
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:31pmwise?penny- Luke1:28 The angel Gabriel said, “Hail favored one, The Lord is with you”. I guess Gabriel was wrong too. 70,000 people witnessed the miracle of Fatima, many people cured at Lourdes…such is the power of God through our Lady. It seems some protestants (not all) define there faith as abc…anything but Catholic. Did you know theres some historical evidence that Luther prayed the Rosary?
Report Post »TGJesusfreak
Posted on October 12, 2010 at 3:22pmWell in all actuality. Catholics may not worship Mary, but they do pray to her (to pray for them). But the fact is, the bible specifically says:
1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…”
It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that Catholics do not pray TO saints or Mary, but rather that Catholics can ask saints or Mary to pray FOR them. The official position of the Roman Catholic Church is that asking saints for their prayers is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for you. However, the practice of many Catholics diverges from official Roman Catholic teaching. Many Catholics do in fact pray directly to saints and/or Mary, asking them for help – instead of asking the saints and/or Mary to intercede with God for help. Whatever the case, whether a saint or Mary is being prayed to, or asked to pray, neither practice has any Biblical basis.
The Bible nowhere instructs believers in Christ to pray to anyone other than God. The Bible nowhere encourages, or even mentions, believers asking individuals in Heaven for their prayers. Why, then, do many Catholic pray to Mary and/or the saints, or request their prayers? Catholics view Mary and saints as “intercessors” before God. They believe that a saint, who is glorified in Heaven, has more “direct access” to God than we do. Therefore, if a saint delivers a prayer to God, it is more effective than us praying to God directly. This concept is blatantly unbiblical. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we, believers here on earth, can “…approach the throne of grace with confidence…”
And also, Jesus says to pray like this:
“OUR FATHER who art in heaven…”
I‘m not necesarrilly saying it’s a sin…. but in truth… isn’t talking straight to God better? If you‘re in love with a girl and you talk to her mostly through a friend whom you use to deliver messages when she’s 10 feet away, then how does that help? Wouldn’t the best way to build a relationship with her would be on a personal level, not through your friend?
Same goes for God, the only way to make a personal relationship with him is to actually talk to him directly. Plus, how do we know people in heaven can hear us? Find me ONE bible verse that says anyone can hear us besides Jesus, the mediator between God and men.
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:53pmSince it was found by an American hero, I hope it’s the real deal, and they profit!
Report Post »mrsclark
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:48pmI want to know who keeps the same couch for 27 years?
Report Post »patriotwoman
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:57pmI want to know why some people don’t clean behind that couch for 27 years… eeewwww!
Report Post »littlebin518 ✝
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:04pmNow they will be able to buy a new one!
Report Post »dressseller
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 8:05pmThey didn‘t say that they didn’t KNOW it was behind the couch.. or that they’ve never bought a new couch. ..They just were STORING it behind the couch …thinking it was a copy I guess.
I hope it’s the REAL DEAL for them!!
Report Post »...............R..U..Kidding...Me
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:26pmMrsclark – The same people that are waiting for the U.S. govermnent to come in and clean up their house.
Report Post »Maybe if they check under the cushions they can find some gold beblums, become rich, become a small business owner, hire others, pay taxes, and they whine about obama taking their money.
TrueGrit
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:30amCouches…????
Report Post »you guys have couches…?????
wonderbug
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:46pmWow.
Report Post »steve4u55
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:46pmCool, The only thing behind my couch for 27 years is an old sock, some panties?????? and dust.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:09amSTEVE 4U 55 grins, “The only thing behind my couch…some panties….”
I would like those back, if you don’t mind.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
chattycathy
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:41pmI cleaned behind my sofa and all I found was dog hair.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:40pmNice find.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:39pmwow , I hope it is too .
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:38pmMan, I got all excited an took a good look behind my couch….all I found was some cheetos and a dead spider…damn.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:58pmROBERT W is confused,
“all I found was some doritos and a dead spider”
“all I found was some cheetos and a dead spider”
Now listen, boy, you need to make up your mind. You are confusing me.
I found half eaten gophers and cat crap. I have my husband cleaning up in there. His cat, not mine.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:40pmlol I have a split personality. Both of us just had to reply
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:23pmwow, I found a 17 year old twinke with the likeness of Muhamid!
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 8:05amROBERT W splits hairs, “I have a split personality.”
We agree.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:37pmAdd your comments
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:41pmMan, I seen this article and got all excited and too a look behind my couch….all I found was some doritos and a dead spider…damn.
Report Post »CruzerDog
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 4:54pmI won the HOPE painting of George Washington for SOWF, signed by Glenn. Mine is “priceless”
Kisha Majors
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:06pmlol… I found a dog toy and dry baby wipes. This is an amazing story. I bet there is much more behind it than at first is reported. I hope the family is able to collect money from it and/or have the painting hung in a museum for everyone to view. I also hope it is found to be an original. How exciting that would be!
Report Post »angrymob
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:24pmI found a voodoo doll…now I know why I’ve been chanting four more years!
What a relief…I thought I was going crazy :)
Report Post »5
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 5:39pmPainting Found Behind NY Family’s Couch.
DO THEY EVER CLEAN IN NEW YORK?
Report Post »When was the last time they moved the couch? 1983
Danglinbags
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:05pmFake! Michaelangelo wouldn’t have painted hobbits.
Thirteenth Paladin
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 6:58pmSo much for my Dogs Playing Poker on black velvet. I’ve had it hidden behind my couch for at least that long.
Report Post »RCScrolls
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 7:06pmIts stolen if anything, betcha HOT HOT HOT
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 8:40pmHow does anyone leave a couch in the same place for three decades.
Report Post »gatortarian
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 9:39pm@Robert W
Nice post, I love how everyone comments on the first comment just to try and get posted on top of earlier posts. Nice demonstration.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 10, 2010 at 10:44pm5…My exact thought..LOL must have had an illegal cleaning the house.. since I do my own housework I know what’s behind mine cat fur and mice stuffed with cat nip.. every week same O same O
Report Post »klstj
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 12:35amBoy, could I use a lotto ticket like that about now. Regardless of financial gain, what a beautiful depiction of Jesus. Amen.
Report Post »RightWrite
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:19amDumb Moron! Now the Progressives will tax the hell out of you for having the wealth. It’s a windfall, and you will be taxed even if you keep it.
Report Post »Areyoukiddingme
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 10:44pmHeard this is the real deal and estimated at $300 million.
Report Post »