Online Event: The Discovery of a Masterpiece

September 8, 5pm on Zoom: THE DISCOVERY OF A MASTERPIECE

While cataloging artwork housed inside of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, art history student Mallory Mortillaro zeroed-in on the Napoleon bust which had been sitting in a committee room for decades. Mortillaro stood on a chair, peeped around to the side of the bust that was facing the wall, and spotted an “A”—the first letter, she believed, of Rodin’s signature. After a year of research the piece was authenticated as a masterpiece by Auguste Rodin, lost to the art world since the 1930’s. Mallory will share the story of how a simple art cataloging project evolved into a search for a mysterious piece’s provenance, and became one of the biggest art finds in recent history.

Mallory Mortillaro serves as the Curator of Collections for the Hartley Dodge Foundation. She holds a BA and MAT from Drew University. She balances her work as an Art Historian with teaching 7th grade English.

Sponsored by the Chilmark, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, and Edgartown libraries.

Email tthorpe@clamsnet.org to sign up and get the Zoom invite. This event is free and open to the public.