A rare Renaissance masterpiece by Antonello da Messina, the Ecce Homo, was bought by the Italian government for $14.9 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York on 28 December. The tiny painting, sized 19.5cm by 14cm and painted on both sides, shows Christ crowned with thorns and Saint Jerome. Antonello, a Sicilian-born artist credited with influencing Renaissance art, lost many works when Messina was devastated by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in 1908 that killed half its people and destroyed much of its cultural heritage. The painting’s return has stirred debate over where it should be shown. Top contenders include Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera and Venice’s Gallerie dell’Accademia. The Museo di Capodimonte in southern Italy is also a front-runner. However, Messina itself is not on the shortlist, causing tension among locals and art historians who see the painting’s homecoming as a chance to restore part of the city’s lost history. Valentina Certo, an art historian, said, "Antonello is a son of Messina; he belongs to this land." She added that returning the Ecce Homo would help "stitch back together a fragment of the memory and historical identity of Messina." The 1908 earthquake erased many of Antonello’s works, and Messina’s rich art history was severely damaged. Italy’s culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, called the painting "unique in the landscape of 15th-century Italian art" and highlighted its importance to national heritage. Meanwhile, in Sicily, politicians are urging for the painting to come home. Fabio Venezia, a regional lawmaker, said recovering this artwork would help heal the cultural wounds suffered by the region. Less than 40 of Antonello’s paintings survive today. The decision on where to display the Ecce Homo remains with the Italian culture ministry, as museums across Italy await the final announcement and hope to showcase this priceless piece of history.