Blast-hit paintings identified

Two paintings damaged in a huge explosion at Beirut’s port two years ago have been identified as being by the 17th Century’s most acclaimed woman artist, Artemisia Gentileschi.

At least 218 people died when hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse blew up in August 2020, causing massive damage.

Now, two previously unidentified artworks which were hanging in a private home damaged in the blast have been confirmed as the Italian Baroque painter’s creations.

The pieces – called Hercules and Omphale, and Maria Magdalena – are being restored at the Getty Centre in Los Angeles, which confirmed their provenance.

The attribution has been accepted by all Gentileschi scholars.