ROME (AP) — Caravaggio was notorious for brawling, so it may be fitting that a claim by two art historians to have discovered as many as 100 of his student artworks has started a war of words.
Experts have been skeptical about the claims, saying it is unlikely more than a few of the works culled from the collection of master Milanese artist and teacher Simone Perterzano are by Caravaggio.
Francesca Rossi, curator of the drawings collection at Milan's Sforzesco Castle, where Peterzano's collection is kept, told The Associated Press on Friday that the two never set foot in the room.
Maurizio Bernardelli Curuz counters that he mainly worked from photos. He says saw the collection "after hours" thanks to a highly placed authority he declined to name.
Caravaggio studied with Peterzano from 1584-1588.
