Masterpieces and more in Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE — Rare artwork reportedly stolen by the Nazis and recovered after World War II will be unveiled Saturday at the Idaho Wildlife Museum.

The special showing involves a pure silver sculpture of Michelangelo’s “La Pieta,” valued at over $70 million.

"This is a unique opportunity for the general community to be able to come and see this," said Dan Pinkerton, founder of the Idaho Character Foundation, which owns the Idaho Wildlife Museum, located in Riverstone.

The unveiling features the work of three famous artists: Michelangelo, Raffaelo Sanzio, known as Raphael, and Tiziano Vecelli, known as Titian.

All lived about 500 years ago, were born within 13 years of and within 100 miles of each other and were all raised in Italy near Florence and Venice.

Pinkerton said the opportunity to have such art is rare. The Idaho Wildlife Museum is looking for opportunities to expand the area's horizons in the art world.

He said Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian were known as artistic geniuses during the High Renaissance period.

"Collectively, their bodies of work are considered the epitome of the Renaissance," according to a statement from the Idaho Wildlife Museum. "Today, their more famous art has been valued between $17 million up to over $1 billion."

Saturday's unveiling will include:

• Titian’s original painting, “Jesus Christ.” It shows a crucified Christ with the crown of thorns still on his head. This painting was found after World War II in a former Nazi bunker on the border of Germany and Poland, and restored by experts.

• “Madonna del Passeggio" by Raphael. The title of the painting means “Madonna of the Promenade” and was an interpretation of Mary and the Christ child appearing to have met the infant John the Baptist while walking through the countryside as Joseph looks on from the middle distance.

This painting was restored after being found in a former Nazi bunker on the border of Poland and Germany.

• “La Pieta,” by Michelangelo, was commissioned by the governor of Rome to create a life-size marble sculpture for his future gravesite.

"In less than two years, Michelangelo carved from a single slab of Carrara marble, one of the most magnificent sculptures ever created," according to the museum statement. "Many believe that Michelangelo’s greatest work is La Pieta, even greater than his David and his painting in the Sistine Chapel."

The sculpture to be revealed is considered by some to be "the most perfect representation" of Michelangelo’s original La Pieta.

Pinkerton said the art is on loan through special arrangements and is unlike anything ever seen in North Idaho.

The event is scheduled 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $100. Proceeds will go to the Faith Walk Community Fitness Park, which is under construction at Kathleen and Atlas.

As a violinist in a family of musicians, Pinkerton appreciates art.

"Art is embedded in my blood," he said.

Tickets: idahowm.org