Gérôme's Jérôme Found

It always puzzles me that art galleries can "lose" artworks in the depths of their vaults. If libraries were run like this, you'd rarely be able to borrow a book. Jean-Léon Gérôme's Saint Jérôme (1874) is the latest example. This painting was donated to Frankfurt's Städel Museum by the heirs of banker Otto Hauck in 1935, prior to World War II. Possibly to keep it out of Nazi hands, the museum didn't inventory the painting or describe it in detail, but just gave it an access number. During a major sort out in preparation for a new exhibition, Dr Felix Krämer recognized the painting as an important Gérôme. It has since been restored and goes on show to the public in November in the museum's new exhibition Modern Art (1800–1945). Gérôme as modern art? Not in my book. Click the title link for a larger graphic and more details.