Titian masterpiece in Venice damaged by water after fire
AFP
VENICE- Water sprayed by firefighters has damaged a painting by Renaissance master Titian at a Venice basilica, local authorities said Monday.
"I saw water dripping from the painting for an hour" after the fire at an adjacent construction site was put out late on Sunday, the head of Venice's museum agency Vittorio Sgarbi told AFP, adding that he rushed to the scene after seeing the fire while dining at a nearby restaurant.
"The painting might have experienced some alteration, but nothing that can't be restored," said Sgarbi, a well-known art critic.
"We were very lucky," he said, while adding that the two other paintings may have also suffered some damage.
The painting, which was last restored about 20 years ago, depicts David raising his arms to the sky over the decapitated body of the giant Goliath.
"This is Titian's most important ceiling," Sgarbi said, explaining that the three paintings brought the master into direct competition with his contemporary Michelangelo for the first time.
Venice prosecutors have opened an investigation into the fire.
Tiziano Vecellio, known as Titian, was the most important painter of the Venetian school and died in Venice in 1576.
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