A recently discovered and restored painting by Artemisia Gentileschi, depicting Hercules and Omphale, will go on view at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles from June 10 to September 14. The work, which experts believe has not been publicly exhibited for at least a century, was damaged in the 2020 Beirut port explosion while hanging in Sursock Palace. After extensive conservation by Getty conservator Ulrich Birkmaier, the painting has been attributed to Gentileschi and is considered a major masterpiece by scholars.
The painting matters because it adds a significant new work to the canon of Artemisia Gentileschi, a celebrated proto-feminist Baroque artist known for her depictions of strong women. Its rediscovery and restoration highlight the ongoing importance of provenance research and conservation in art history. The work also underscores the cultural losses from the Beirut explosion and the role of institutions like the Getty in preserving and presenting important art to the public.