A Caravaggio painting, *Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy* (ca. 1606), has been publicly exhibited in India for the first time, hosted at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in Delhi. The exhibition, organized in partnership with the Italian Embassy’s cultural center, coincides with a visit by Italy’s deputy prime minister Antonio Tajani and runs through May 18. It includes a VR experience and a documentary series about the artist. The painting was only rediscovered in 2014 and authenticated by scholar Mina Gregori, though some experts still debate whether it is a 17th-century copy rather than an original Caravaggio.
This debut matters because it marks a significant cultural exchange between India and European classical art, offering local audiences a rare encounter with a masterwork by one of art history’s most influential figures. The exhibition also highlights ongoing scholarly controversy over the painting’s attribution, adding layers of intrigue to its display. For an institution primarily focused on contemporary South Asian art, hosting a Caravaggio signals a broadening of curatorial ambition and cross-cultural dialogue.