Unknown Bust of the Architect Who Designed the Florence Cathedral Dome Found After 700 Years 

This image released by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore on Thursday, May 23, 2024, shows a terracotta portrait of Florence landmark cathedral's architect Filippo Brunelleschi dating back to the early Renaissance, which was recently found among the furnishings of an historic residence near the Tuscan capital. (Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore via AP, HO)
This image released by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore on Thursday, May 23, 2024, shows a terracotta portrait of Florence landmark cathedral's architect Filippo Brunelleschi dating back to the early Renaissance, which was recently found among the furnishings of an historic residence near the Tuscan capital. (Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore via AP, HO)
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Unknown Bust of the Architect Who Designed the Florence Cathedral Dome Found After 700 Years 

This image released by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore on Thursday, May 23, 2024, shows a terracotta portrait of Florence landmark cathedral's architect Filippo Brunelleschi dating back to the early Renaissance, which was recently found among the furnishings of an historic residence near the Tuscan capital. (Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore via AP, HO)
This image released by the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore on Thursday, May 23, 2024, shows a terracotta portrait of Florence landmark cathedral's architect Filippo Brunelleschi dating back to the early Renaissance, which was recently found among the furnishings of an historic residence near the Tuscan capital. (Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore via AP, HO)

A previously unknown terracotta bust of the famed early Renaissance architect who designed the Florence Cathedral dome was unveiled Thursday in the Tuscan capital, where it will be displayed permanently following restoration.

The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, the entity charged with preserving the landmark cathedral and operating its museum, called the discovery after nearly 700 years of the terracotta bust depicting Filippo Brunelleschi “exceptional.” It cited both the artistic value as well as the rarity of depictions of the renowned architect around or after the time of his death in 1446.

Art historians Giancarlo Gentilini and Alfredo Bellandi identified the sculpture as a model by Andrea di Lazzaro Cavalcanti for the marble bust of Brunelleschi in the memorial monument in the Florence Cathedral.

Bellandi praised the work’s “expressive naturalism of great intensity.”

Cavalcanti, Brunelleschi’s adopted son and heir, sculpted the life-like bust from a nearly solid block of clay in early 1447, before completing the monument later that year, experts said.

The terracotta model was likely stored in the sculptor’s workshop for study for a period, while the state of preservation indicates it was long preserved before it “later fell into oblivion,” the cathedral’s custodian entity said.

The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore purchased the terracotta bust for 300,000 euros (around $324,000). It will be exhibited in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo near the cathedral after restoration work on scratches and to remove a chalky residue and traces of paint.



King Salman Academy Launches Arabic Language Exhibition in Riyadh

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has inaugurated the Arabic Language Exhibition. SPA
The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has inaugurated the Arabic Language Exhibition. SPA
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King Salman Academy Launches Arabic Language Exhibition in Riyadh

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has inaugurated the Arabic Language Exhibition. SPA
The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has inaugurated the Arabic Language Exhibition. SPA

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language in Riyadh has inaugurated the Arabic Language Exhibition, attended by CEO of the Human Capability Development Program Anas AlMudaifer, alongside experts, academics, and representatives of various organizations.

This exhibition aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 by bolstering the status of the Arabic language and promoting its use in diverse fields.

During the event, the academy's Secretary General Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi said the exhibition is a vital platform showcasing Arabic in cultural and scientific contexts. It aims to raise awareness and modernize teaching methods for broader engagement, reflecting the Kingdom's dedication to language support and education enhancement.

The exhibition, open during regular hours, offers visitors interactive stations to explore linguistic topics, educational platforms, and specialized training sessions to improve Arabic skills.

Cultural activities also spotlight literary and intellectual experiences, showcasing Arabic as a dynamic language.