The big art news last week in Rome had to do with sculpture (see above), but Romans had a second story that interested them almost as much: the case of the missing Raphael.
The painting in question was a Madonna miniature done by Raphael in 1501, when he was just 18. Its owner, Professor Tullio Gramantieri, had refused as much as $75,000 for it. Then, 2½ years ago, it was stolen from the professor's apartment. Until last week, Rome's police were stymied.
A tip from a Rome art dealer put them on the track. The dealer had been visited by a distinguished-looking stranger...
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