A long-disputed work attributed to Michelangelo is about to take up residence this summer at the Cathedral of Monaco. From 7th July until the end of September, art lovers and historians are free to visit the piece entitled Crucifix of the Holy Spirit.

According to art expert Professor Antonio Forcellino, Michelangelo carved a wooden cross for the Priory of Santo Spirito in Florence in or around 1496. The cross remained in the choir until 1607, when it was moved to the sacristy. This is where things get a little hazy. At the start of the 18^thcentury, all mention of the crucifix disappears in church records, despite full inventories being carried out regularly until the 1800’s.  

 Fast forward to 1963 when, upon the 400^thanniversary of the artist’s death, art historian Margrit Lisner puts forth the possibility that a cross that had lived unnoticed in the convent’s corridor was Michelangelo’s missing piece. The explanation was plausible, as inventories were only taken of certain parts of the priory, and a discreet cross in a hallway would go largely unnoticed.

 The dispute raged on as to its authenticity for many years. Today, it is accepted as a work by Michelangelo, after passing through the hands of many art experts and church historians, but a touch of mystery still remains.

 To see for yourself, mark your calendar for 7th July at 5:30pm, when the official unveiling ceremony takes place at the Cathedral.