Italy buys rare Caravaggio portrait for 30 million euros

The portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini was painted by Italian master Caravaggio when the nobleman born in 1568 was in his 30s, years before he became pope. "This is a work of exceptional importance," Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said in a statement, adding that it was "one of the most significant investments" ever made by the state for an artwork. Maffeo Barberini was elected to the papacy in 1623 and his pontificate lasted until his death in 1644. The painting was authenticated in 1963 by the art critic Roberto Longhi...