In the blink of an eye, more than three hours have passed.
Xiao Ran has woken up, his whole body is full of blood and he is full of energy.
His employees are still sleeping and don't know when they will wake up.
Seeing this, he didn't wake the guys up, but let them continue to rest.
After getting up and washing up briefly, Xiao Ran first called David and Anthony over to learn about the outside world.
After making sure nothing serious happened, he walked into the lobby on the first floor of the apartment building.
Seeing him come in, the guys sitting on the sofa drinking coffee and chatting immediately stood up.
Especially Henry and Pierre, experts in antiquities and art appraisals, seemed a little impatient.
"Sean, you finally woke up. Can we start appraising the remaining antique artworks?"
"These three-plus hours were too hard. It was as long as three years. We spent it all counting the seconds!"
"According to the previous progress, should we next identify the antique artworks that Napoleon swept from Italy? This is the batch of treasures that everyone is most looking forward to!"
While they were talking, Henry and the others had gathered around, their eyes shining brightly.
Xiao Ran looked at these guys, then nodded with a smile and said:
"Since everyone has been waiting impatiently, let's get started. In fact, I feel the same way as everyone else."
"The rules are still the same as before, but this time the people who followed me into the appraisal room were replaced by Henry and Pierre!"
"Next, we are going to identify the treasure we are admiring. It is indeed something hidden in the room with Italian inscriptions in the underground palace."
"I am also looking forward to this batch of treasures from Italy..."
Just as he said this, the Cultural Counselor of the Italian Embassy in France suddenly said:
"Sean, these antiques and artworks you are about to identify are all from Italy. They were stolen from Italy by Napoleon."
"As the cultural counselor of the Italian Embassy in France, I request to participate in the follow-up appraisal activities and witness on-site the entire process of these antique artworks reappearing in the world..."
Before this guy could finish speaking, Xiao Ran interrupted him.
"I'm very sorry, Albertini, I cannot agree to your request and will not allow you to enter the identification room."
"I'm afraid that you will be too emotional and cause interference or even damage to the appraisal work. Please understand and cooperate."
“Not just you, but also other countries’ ambassadors and cultural attachés in France.”
After hearing this, the cultural counselor of the Italian Embassy still wanted to argue or protest.
Xiao Ran didn't give him this chance at all, and said directly to Henry and the others:
"Henry, Pierre, Laurence, you guys can follow me to the appraisal room."
"As for other people, they can only stay here and watch the live video."
"There are coffee and snacks here, and the lights are bright. It is far more comfortable than the appraisal room. I hope everyone will enjoy the next time."
After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the identification room.
Henry and Pierre followed immediately, their steps extremely brisk.
As for the ambassadors and cultural counselors, they were all filled with hatred, but there was nothing they could do.
In a moment, Xiao Ran took Pierre and the others into the appraisal room again.
After entering the door, he immediately started to arrange it.
Draw curtains, adjust lights, etc.
Since manpower is now tight, he called Mike and Elaine in to do some auxiliary work.
After everything was ready, he picked up the walkie-talkie and said:
"Ryoko, you can start taking action. Move the things that were brought up from the Italian room to the appraisal room one by one."
"You move the picture frames wrapped in moisture-proof oil paper first, and the other large and small boxes will be moved later."
As soon as the words fell, Ryoko responded immediately.
"Copy that, boss, we'll take action now"
In a matter of moments, the first frame was moved into the appraisal room.
After taking over the picture frame, Xiao Ran first checked the appearance.
After making sure that there was no damage on the outside, he began to dismantle the moisture-proof tarpaulin wrapped around the frame.
Elaine, Pierre, and Henry stood on both sides, looking expectantly at the frame and Xiao Ran's movements.
After a while, Xiao Ran gently opened the last layer of moisture-proof oilcloth wrapping the picture frame.
What then appeared in front of everyone was an early Baroque style oil painting. The content of the painting was the famous religious story, "The Stations of the Cross".
In this oil painting, a skinny Jesus carries a heavy cross and staggers on the Way of the Cross, leaving a bloody footprint behind him with every step he takes.
During the journey, people around him tried to come up to help Jesus and share his suffering, but the Roman soldiers who were imprisoning him brandished whips and beat and drove the people away.
Looking along the Via Dolorosa in the distance, you can see the vaults of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The first time they saw this painting, everyone couldn't help but be stunned and a little unbelievable.
The next moment, Henry and Pierre suddenly cheered in unison.
"Oh my God! It's actually "The Stations of the Cross" by the swordsman painter Caravaggio. I didn't expect this oil painting to actually exist. It's incredible!"
"This painting was originally stored in the Sforza Castle in Milan, but then disappeared. Unexpectedly, it fell into the hands of Napoleon!"
"Wow! This is one of the earliest Baroque-style oil paintings, heralding the birth of Baroque art. It is undoubtedly a top-notch work of art and absolutely priceless."
Following Henry and the others' exclamations, waves of commotion broke out in the halls and streets outside, as well as in front of countless live broadcasts!
The appearance of this famous painting made everyone excited and cheered.
Of course, many people are also envious, jealous and hateful, and their eyes are red.
In particular, countless Italians and Milanese cheered and kept shouting.
"This is a national treasure belonging to Italy and an artistic treasure belonging to Milan. This priceless treasure must be recovered!"
Xiao Ran didn't know about the Italians' demands.
Even if he knew, he didn't bother to pay attention.
After Henry and the others calmed down a little, he smiled and said:
"Yes, this early Baroque style oil painting, "The Stations of the Cross", is indeed one of the outstanding masterpieces of Caravaggio, the founder of Baroque art and the swordsman painter."
“The author’s signature in the lower right corner of the painting is the best explanation and the most powerful evidence.”
"The same author's signature can be seen on the rest of Caravaggio's paintings that have been handed down, and they can be mutually confirmed."
Hearing this, Henry and the others nodded without any objection.
As an expert in appraising Western antique art, they couldn't be more familiar with Caravaggio, the founder of Baroque art!
Otherwise, they are not qualified to be an antique art appraisal expert.
After a pause, Xiao Ran continued:
"The swordsman painter Caravaggio was the founder of Baroque art. Because he died young and had a wandering life, very few works have been handed down, and each one is a priceless treasure."
"The same is naturally true for the Stations of the Cross. Since this is one of the paintings that contributed to the birth of Baroque art, it has a very high status in the history of Western art!"
"If measured by market value, the valuation of this "Way of the Cross" should be more than 300 million euros..."
Not surprisingly, many people were shocked again and exclaimed.
Caravaggio "Carrying the Cross"
