The Boston Raphael

The discovery of a previously unknown painting by an Italian Renaissance master, and how it went from media sensation to career-ending scandal. On the eve of its centennial celebrations in December 1969, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts announced the acquisition of an unknown and uncatalogued painting attributed to Raphael. Boston’s coup made headlines around the world. Soon afterward, an Italian art sleuth began investigating the details of the painting’s export from Italy, challenged the museum’