An anonymous art collector has made an extraordinary donation to the city of Marseille, gifting a 17th-century masterpiece painted by Louis Finson, a close associate of the renowned Italian painter Caravaggio. The painting, valued at over $500,000, depicts Saint Sebastian pierced by thirteen arrows and will become part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Fine Arts in Longchamp Palace.
The generous donation came as a complete surprise to museum officials, particularly to curator Luc Georget, who had unsuccessfully attempted to acquire the same painting at a Paris auction house just weeks earlier. The curator had secured funding of approximately $300,000 from the city of Marseille to bid on the work, but was ultimately outbid when the final hammer price reached $416,000, with total costs including fees approaching $500,000.
The painting, titled "Saint Sebastian," was created in 1612 and bears the signature "Aloisus Finsonius fecit" along with its date in the lower left corner. The work measures 147 by 116 centimeters and exemplifies the dramatic chiaroscuro technique characteristic of Caravaggio and his followers. The painting showcases the typical elements of the Caravaggesque style: dramatic lighting effects, suffering bodies, bronze-like reflections on skin, and an atmosphere of both silence and emerging ecstasy.
Originally owned by a family from Aix-en-Provence, the painting was put up for auction at the prestigious Drouot auction house on June 18 by the Ader auction house. Despite having a reasonable initial estimate of $40,000 to $60,000, intense bidding from private collectors and galleries drove the price far beyond expectations. An Italian gallery ultimately won the auction, purchasing the work for the substantial sum that included all associated fees.
Approximately twenty days after the disappointing auction loss, museum officials received the miraculous news that the painting's new owner wished to donate it to Marseille. The mysterious benefactor, who insists on maintaining complete anonymity, purchased the work from the Italian gallery specifically to gift it to the city. Only Mayor Benoît Payan, Deputy Mayor Jean-Marc Coppola, and museum directors are privy to the donor's identity, which they are keeping strictly confidential.
This anonymous patron is described as more than just a wealthy benefactor – they are a true art enthusiast who regularly attends exhibitions and has a particular interest in works connected to Marseille's cultural heritage. The donor is believed to be familiar with the catalog from the 1978 exhibition "Painting in Provence in the 17th Century," which was held at Longchamp Palace and featured extensive research on artists like Finson.
Louis Finson (1578-1617) was a Flemish painter who became closely associated with Caravaggio during his time in Naples, where he hosted the famous Italian master in his workshop. Art historian Jacques Thuillier documented how Finson was invited to Provence by the scholar and collector Nicolas Peiresc from Aix-en-Provence. Finson's works can be found in cathedrals in both Aix-en-Provence and Arles, demonstrating his significant contribution to the artistic heritage of the region.
The Museum of Fine Arts already houses another important work by Finson – a copy of Caravaggio's "Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy," which is currently on loan to the Georges de La Tour exhibition at the Jacquemart-André Museum in Paris. This existing piece in the collection makes the new donation particularly significant, as it will strengthen the museum's representation of Caravaggesque art in Provence.
Before joining the permanent collection, the newly donated Saint Sebastian will be briefly displayed to the public from October 3 to October 5 in a ground-floor gallery at Longchamp Palace. Visitors are encouraged to view this exceptional work during its short public presentation, as it will then be transported to the Center for Heritage Restoration (CICRP) located in the Belle de Mai district of Marseille.
The painting requires several months of professional restoration to address various condition issues affecting the dramatic chiaroscuro composition. Expert authentication was provided by the prestigious Parisian firm Eric Turquin, confirming both the attribution and the historical significance of the work. Once the restoration is complete, the painting will return to the Museum of Fine Arts in 2026, where it will be displayed alongside other Italian and Provençal works from the 17th century in a specially curated installation that highlights the artistic connections between Italy and southern France during this pivotal period in art history.
