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A Tale of Three Busts

The incredible journey of the bust of Prospero Farinacci

The Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton includes the incredible story of the Gianlorenzo Bernini-attributed bust of 16th century jurist Prospero Farinacci in its Spring Newsletter. “A Tale of Three Busts” relates how the tireless research of art historians Irving Lavin and his wife Marilyn Aronberg Lavin revealed the identity of a marble bust offered at auction by Sotheby’s and reconstructed its long life. In a unique move, Marilyn decided not to sell the bust after Irving’s death, resolving instead to find a home for it in Rome. As she pointed out “The people on the Grand Tour were interested in taking things away and putting them in American museums. But nobody has given anything back.” At least, not until now!

Thanks to the tireless work of Marilyn and Tracy of LoveItaly amd American Friends of LoveItaly, the bust was officially received by Castel Sant’Angelo. Presented to the press in Spring 2023, it can be visited in the Library Room of the Castel Sant’Angelo, the very building where Prospero Farinacci battled to save the life of Beatrice Cenci and many others.

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