An extraordinary exhibition at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan has brought together eight surviving panels of the Augustinian Altarpiece by Piero della Francesca after over 450 years. This remarkable reunion solves a long-standing mystery surrounding the polyptych, which originally consisted of 30 pieces. Previous attempts by museums to assemble the panels had been unsuccessful, with various pieces scattered across Europe and the United States.
The current exhibition features four large flanking panels of saints against a blue background, with a missing central panel that has been lost for centuries. Recent scientific studies have shed light on the missing piece, suggesting that it depicted the coronation of the Virgin rather than the previously believed Virgin and Child enthroned.
Infrared and stereomicroscopic studies revealed traces of angel wings on the flanking panels, indicating the presence of angels alongside the Virgin. The discovery of a foot beneath a brocade dress on one panel and corresponding features on another panel further support the theory of a coronation scene.
The altarpiece was commissioned by Augustinian hermits in Borgo San Sepolcro in 1454 and hung in a church for less than a century before being disassembled and dispersed. While four major panels surfaced in Milan in the 1800s, the whereabouts of the remaining pieces, including the central panel, have remained unknown for centuries.
Curators hope that the new exhibition will inspire private collectors to examine their collections in search of the missing panels. However, experts believe that the likelihood of the lost pieces resurfacing is slim, given their long absence from public view.
This unprecedented gathering of the Augustinian Altarpiece panels offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the artistry and mystery of Piero della Francesca's masterpiece, showcasing the monumental beauty of the work as a whole.
