This is a work of exceptional importance. We had the objective of making an artistic masterpiece that would otherwise be destined for the art market accessible to scholars and enthusiasts.
Just one painting but it is one of the world's very greatest, and most dangerous. The shock of the old hits you in front of a naked Cupid who has clearly been portrayed from life, his raw, laughing features apparently coming straight from the mean streets into the gallery. This young love god is an anarchist, and Caravaggio paints like the antichrist, mocking civilisation, symbolised by the musical instruments at Cupid's feet.
A painting so outrageous, or maybe so outstanding, that it had to be hidden behind a curtain has gone on display in London, without a curtain. This is Amor Vincit Omnia, far better known as Caravaggio's Cupid, and when it was painted in 1601-02, it was a radically shocking painting. Not just for the male nudity, which was commonplace on statues, but rarer in paintings.
Not only is the painting-along with 39 others by Caravaggio and an international cast of Caravaggisti, as the Baroque artist's followers are known-making a rare trip from Florence to the U.S., it is presented unconserved, in its original state. "Maybe the varnish is a little yellow, or there are a few scratches," Thomas explains. "But you are seeing the brilliance of the artist's hand, which is unsullied and untouched."
