The most expensive property in the world did not find a buyer. Villa Aurora in Rome, which has the only known ceiling painted by Caravaggio, has been put up for auction with a starting price of 471 million euros. No one made an offer and there was no sale.
The next sale attempt will be in April, when the price will be lowered by 20 percent.
A mansion in Rome belonged to Prince Ludovisi. Cavaggio’s mural is painted in oil and depicts the gods Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto. The artist is believed to have painted his own face on the three figures.
The villa is part of a long court battle between its current occupant and her stepchildren. If the villa is bought by a private person, the works of the baroque artist can remain forever hidden from the general public. Art connoisseurs have called on the Italian state to buy the property to keep it accessible to the public.
–
