Until early spring, Most Precious Blood Church on Mulberry Street is hosting an imposing guest: an original bronze cast of “Moses,” Michelangelo’s 16th Century masterpiece. Last week, Ralph Tramontana of the Little Italy Merchants Association (and Sambuca’s Cafe) arranged for a small press showing of the statue, which has been appraised at more than $8 million.
Chuck Huller, the art dealer who helped bring “Moses” to this country said he’d love to find a buyer who will be willing to keep the statue in New York permanently. The replica is the first bronze cast made of “Moses,” the world-famous work that is part of the tomb of Pope Julius II in Rome.
Huller told us it’s fitting that the statue is on display at Most Precious Blood, not only because the church is celebrating its 125th anniversary, but because of the institution’s importance to Catholics in New York City. The church was built in 1888 because Italians were not permitted to attend Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 269 Mulberry Street.
The statue will be on display until April 1. Most Precious Blood is located at 109 Mulberry Street.
this very cool,