Overview
- Independent researcher Valentina Salerno unveiled her attribution on March 4 for the marble Cristo Salvador long displayed at Sant'Agnese fuori le mura in Rome.
- Her case leans on decades-spanning archival materials—wills, inventories, correspondence and confraternity records—dating the piece to 1534 and identifying the sitter as Tommaso de' Cavalieri.
- Supporters cite a drawing sold at Christie’s in February whose provenance appears to align with the chain proposed for the bust, which they argue reinforces the documentary trail.
- Renaissance specialists urged caution, noting Salerno posted her findings on academia.edu without peer review and that full transcription and scholarly assessment are still required.
- Italian Carabinieri confirmed the work is under protection with an alarm in place, the basilica’s custodians acknowledged the claim, and the bust remains officially cataloged as anonymous pending review.