Vatican 'discovers new Caravaggio' on painter's 400-death anniversary

London, July 19 (ANI): The Vatican has reportedly discovered an unknown painting by Caravaggio as Rome marked the 400th anniversary of the Renaissance master's death.

'Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence' was potentially attributable to Caravaggio, the Vatican announced in its official Osservatore Romano newspaper.owever, Vatican has said that further study was needed before a reliable attribution could be made.

Meanwhile, not everyone was convinced of the painting's authenticity.

Antonio Pinelli, an art historian from Florence, said the detail of the painting published by the Osservatore Romano made him think of a follower of Caravaggio, rather than the great master himself.

Pinelli said the texture of the saint's skin looked leathery and a blue loincloth had been poorly executed.

"That blue rag is really a very poor thing," the Telegraph quoted Pinelli as telling La Repubblica newspaper. (ANI)