Hamden Library To Present 'The Discovery Of A Masterpiece' Nov. 17

Press release from Hamden Library:

Oct. 19, 2022

Hear the story of one of the biggest art finds in recent history, The Discovery of a Masterpiece, Thursday, November 17, 7 pm via Zoom! The engaging presenter Mallory Mortillaro will tell the story of how as a 22 year old with an undergraduate degree in art history, she discovered a masterpiece that had been lost to the art world since the 1930s. While cataloging artwork housed inside the municipal Hartley Dodge Memorial Building in Madison, NJ, she came across a mysterious sculpture, a marble bust of Napoleon, weighing some 700 pounds. She thought she had found a Rodin worth millions of dollars! But she had her doubts. After a year of research, the piece was indeed authenticated as an official work of Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), the French sculptor responsible for “The Thinker” and founder of modern sculpture. Ms. Mortillaro received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching from Drew University and balances careers as a curator, art historian and English teacher.

This virtual program, which is organized by the Hamden Public Library and sponsored by the Friends of the Hamden Library, coincides with the 105th death anniversary of Rodin, who died on November 17, 1917 aged 77. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register online at www.hamdenlibrary.org (click on “Programs”) or call 203-287-2680. After signing up, you will receive a Zoom meeting link via email.

This press release was produced by Hamden Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.