Caravaggio is remembered as one of Italy's finest painters, but his skill as an artist is matched with a very turbulent life. In the same way, one of his finest works, which depicts the Nativity of Christ, has undergone a similar drama in its existence. To this day, it has been stolen and missing for over 40 years.

By the year 1600, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was quickly becoming the most famous painter in Rome. Through his chiaroscuro technique (using strong lighting on his subjects against a black background), he brought new life to the art world, making his mark in the Baroque period and the Counter-Reformation spirituality of the Catholic Church. And it was in April 1600 that Caravaggio received a commission from a merchant named Fabio Nuti to paint a scene from the Nativity, which would then be delivered to Nuti in Palermo.

The full title of the painting is Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence. It depicts a traditional Christian image of the Virgin Mary with the newborn Jesus, with popular figures like Francis of Assisi and Saint Lawrence watching over them. On one level, we see the contrast between the light foreground and the dark background that most of Caravaggio's works exhibit. But looking deeper, we get a rare glimpse at the human portrayal of Biblical figures. The Virgin Mary is painted with lines in her face, showing exhaustion as a young mother, while the newborn Christ is himself presented with little detail, appearing to be an ordinary child rather than a miraculous one. What makes this a spiritual icon is the reaction of the saints and the angel overhead, looking tenderly on the mother and child.

On October 18, 1969, the Nativity was stolen from the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo, Sicily. The art thieves also made off with other priceless materials from the church grounds, including gilded choir stalls and benches inlaid with precious jewels and metals. Investigators believed that the local Mafia was the prime suspect, with numerous testimonials from informants supporting this claim. However, it's believed that the painting was sold through numerous owners in the black market, making its current whereabouts or condition impossible to determine. The FBI lists the theft of the Nativity as one of the top ten art crimes in the world.

According to official appraisers, the current estimate for the Nativity's value is around $20 million. While the painting has developed a notoriety in the world of art crime, it still remains sought after for its beauty and its cultural legacy in Italy.

A reproduction of the original Nativity painting can be viewed inside the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palermo.

Image by ErgSap on Flickr