Beale Sleeper Soars

December 10 2025

Image of Beale Sleeper Soars

Picture: Capitolium

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

Social media was awash yesterday with news that the following Mary Beale head study catalogued as 'Artist of the 17th - 18th Century' soared past its €500 - €700 estimate to achieve €78,000 (hammer) at Capitolium in Italy yesterday.

Curiously, a similar head study, catalogued as 'Attributed to' Beale, failed to find a bid within its £15k - 25k estimate at Sloane Street Auctions last week (having previously sold as a 'sleeper' for £16,380 at Chiswick Auctions earlier in the year).