The Sleeper

'The Sleeper. The Lost Caravaggio', directed by Álvaro Longoria, is a documentary thriller that unveils one of the most surprising stories in the recent art world: the chance discovery of a lost painting attributed to the legendary Italian master Caravaggio. The work, an Ecce Homo, hung discreetly in the living room of a family in Madrid, misclassified as a minor piece from the school of José de Ribera. Ignoring its true value, its owners put it up for auction for just 1,500 euros.

But what seemed like a simple routine sale turned into an international race to authenticate and recover what could be one of the last masterpieces of Caravaggio. As art experts begin to investigate the piece, the documentary takes us into the dark and fascinating web of the art market: restorers, conservators, dealers, collectors, and renowned museums come into play, each driven by the fascination and power that a work of this caliber can exert.

Through unprecedented access to the authentication, restoration, and negotiation processes, 'The Sleeper' reveals how the history behind a masterpiece is constructed—or recovered. Beyond a simple story of rediscovery, the film becomes a reflection on the value of art, the role of chance, and how power, money, and prestige intertwine in this seemingly cultured yet deeply competitive and secretive world.

With a runtime of 75 minutes, the documentary premiered in the Official Documentary Section of the Málaga Festival 2025 and will hit theaters on May 13, 2025. It is undoubtedly a true story that seems straight out of a thriller novel.