The year 2024, while perhaps more stingy in art-historical discoveries than other more fortunate years, nevertheless closes with many, interesting surprises. Once again this year, then, art historians and researchers from around the world brought to light relevant discoveries, evidence that expands the frontiers of artistic knowledge. Each new discovery is after all a piece added to the mosaic of our understanding of the ancient world, offering food for thought.

Paintings thought to be lost, others whose existence was unknown, ancient manuscripts, and more: here then are the ten most important art history discoveries of 2024, chosen not only for their scientific value but also for their evocative power. Each represents a kind of time travel, an opportunity to connect with those who came before us and to appreciate the extraordinary continuity of human creativity.

1. A Klimt portrait thought to be lost rediscovered in Vienna.

A painting by Gustav Klimt thought to be lost for about a hundred years has been found in Vienna. It is a portrait belonging to the last period of the artist’s activity. It was later sold at auction at the im Kinsky house for the sum of 30 million euros.

Read the full story here

2. Six unpublished carpets by Arturo Martini rediscovered.

Exceptional find in Savona in February: discovered six carpets by Arturo Martini, previously unpublished and known only from drawings. They were on display in an exhibition at the Museum of Ceramics in Savona from March 22 to July 15, 2024.

Read the full story here

3. In Verona a young scholar discovers rare and valuable 11th-century Andalusian astrolabe

In March, a young Italian scholar based in Cambridge, Federica Gigante, discovered a rare and valuable 11th-century Andalusian astrolabe in Verona that attests to cultural exchanges between Muslims, Jews and Christians against the backdrop of Islamic Spain.

Read the full story here

4. In Siena, a work by Sassetta discovered, immediately displayed in exhibition

Also in March, a valuable 15th-century panel by Sassetta was discovered near Siena during preparatory work for the exhibition on the artist that recently opened in Massa Marittima. The work was immediately displayed at the exhibition dedicated to the painter(here is our review of the exhibition).

Read the full story here

5. University of Pisa discovers a precious medieval Luni codex thought to be lost

A precious medieval codex from ancient Luni has been rediscovered thanks to the work of the University of Pisa. The codex has already been deemed very important for deepening our knowledge of the Tuscan and Lunigiana Middle Ages.

Read the full story here

6. Unseen early Renaissance sculpture depicting Filippo Brunelleschi

An unpublished early Renaissance sculpture depicting Filippo Brunelleschi was found in May. It is an exceptional discovery. The work was purchased by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Read the full story here

7. An unpublished work by Gioacchino Assereto discovered in Genoa.

Goldfinch Fine Arts’ exhibition in Genoa that ran from May 31 to June 29 showcased some new acquisitions: a previously unseen work by Gioacchino Assereto, a work assigned to the hand of the great Genoese artist after careful restoration, stood out.

Read the full story here

8. A lost masterpiece by Artemisia Gentileschi reappears in Texas.

A Texas museum, the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, has acquired an important painting by Artemisia Gentileschi: it is believed to be the original of a composition known from a number of copies, a masterpiece that had been given up for lost that was on public display for the first time in September.

Read the full story here

9. A rediscovered Titian: at BIAF, Carlo Orsi resurfaces work by the master

At the Florence Biennale Internazionale dell’Antiquariato, antiquarian Carlo Orsi presented a rediscovered Titian painting: it was executed by the master and then, according to studies by Enrico Maria Dal Pozzolo, was modified a few years later by a collaborator, Girolamo Dente.

Read the full story here

10. Genoa, Adoration of the Shepherds by Matthias Stomer discovered.

The year ends with an exceptional discovery in Genoa: an Adoration of the Shepherds by Matthias Stomer has been found in the archives of the Ligurian Province of the Franciscan Friars. The work was most likely executed in Sicily in the 1940s.

Read the full story here

The 10 most interesting art history discoveries of 2024

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.