Category: Auctions
Romney's Miss Vernon coming up at Millon
April 17 2026
Picture: Millon
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News has arrived that the French auction house Millon will be offering a remerged painting by George Romney on 29th May 2026. The portrait of Carolina Maria Vernon, the sister-in-law to George, 2nd Earl of Warwick, was only known from a B&W image until its recent re-emergence with the descendants of the family of Franz Frantsevich Uteman (1868-1925) of St Petersburg. The picture will be offered carrying an estimate of €150,000 - €200,000.
Two Monets coming up at Sotheby's Paris
April 3 2026
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News has arrived that two Monets, both of which have been in private collections for a considerable time, will be auctioned off at Sotheby's Paris later this month. Les Îles de Port-Villez (1883) will be offered carrying and estimate of €3m - €5m (pictured) and a second Vétheuil, Effet du Matin (1901) will carry €6m - €8m.
According to the article linked above:
While sales of Monet’s 1880s Port-Villez paintings are relatively rare (most are held in major museum collections), in 2025 a Vétheuil canvas sold for $3.2 million at Christie’s New York, surpassing a low estimate of $1.8 million. In Paris this Spring, a similar outcome would not be unexpected.
“For a collector to be able to bid on a great Monet which is in perfect condition and has not been seen for a century, it almost doesn’t exist anymore.”
Radical Genius Drawings at Christie's Paris
April 2 2026
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
There are some rather fine 19th century and later drawings coming up for sale in the Radical Genius: Works on Paper from A Distinguished Private Collection auction at Christie's Paris later this month. This includes watercolours by Turner, John Ruskin, Delacroix, Cezanne and Sargent. The sale will take place on 15th April 2026.
Getty acquires De Heem and Pieter Claesz
April 2 2026
Picture: Getty
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Getty Museum have announced their acquisition of two still lifes by Jan Davidsz. de Heem and Pieter Claesz. The works had appeared in recent sales from Lempertz and Sotheby's New York (1 & 2).
According to their press release:
“This [De Heem] is the exceptional flower still life the Getty Museum has been seeking for over two decades,” said Timothy Potts, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle Director of the J. Paul Getty Museum. “With its energetic composition, strong palette and diverse botanical elements, ‘Glass Vase with Flowers and Fruit’ will be the most consequential addition to our collection of northern Baroque paintings since we acquired ‘Rembrandt Laughing’ in 2013.”
Chopped Artemisia Gentileschi up for sale in Vienna
April 1 2026
Picture: Dorotheum
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Amongst the highlights of the upcoming Old Master auction at the Dorotheum in Vienna is this chopped fragment of Mary Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.* The picture, which is an 'autograph replica' of a version in the Uffizi in Florence and had been exhibited in Milan in 2011-2012, may have been cut into its present state at some point during the war when the painting was in Berlin. What remains is up for sale carrying an estimate of €100,000 - €150,000.
The work was published by scholars Roberto Contini and Francesco Solinas as by the artist in full and also carries a recent endorsement by Riccardo Lattuada (according to the catalogue note). The auction will take place on 28th April 2026.
According to their catalogue note (again, not a hoax):
The fact that this painting is damaged should not diminish its significance within the artists oeuvre. It is highly unusual for, a work of art of this importance to come to auction with the central feature, in this case the head of the saint, summarily removed. More often it is the fragment itself which has been removed from a larger, damaged work which appears on the market. In the absence of the missing part of this painting, it could be argued that the very loss it has suffered imbues the painting with a sense of dramatic intensity, evoking a visceral response almost akin to the reaction experienced with certain contemporary works of art. Ricardo Lattuada draws parallels between the impact of the present painting in its damaged state, with the conceptual work of emilio Isgrò (b.1937) who is known for his use of creative erasure, a technique of removing words from books to turn absence into meaning.
* - Although today is 1st April, I can assure you this is not an April fools.
Bonhams Paris April Sale
March 28 2026
Picture: Bonhams
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Bonhams Paris have just uploaded their upcoming Old Master and 19th Century Paintings sale online. The auction will take place on 21st April 2026.
Sotheby's London April Sale
March 28 2026
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Sotheby's London have uploaded their upcoming Old Master & 19th Century Paintings Online sale onto their website. Bidding for this online auction will close on 15th April 2026.
Cricket (or Baseball) Boys Soar in Milan
March 24 2026
Picture: Il Ponte
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The following painting, which formed one of a pair catalogued as 'English School, late 18th century', soared past their opening bid of €2,200 to achieve €11,000 (hammer) today at Il Ponte in Milan. As anyone can see, it is certainly one of those paintings where you know a good story and interesting history must be lurking. It was sold at Bonhams in 1975 as a work by the American painter Ralph Earl, hence the idea the boys might actually be playing baseball. A blog 16 years ago explored the idea, with the reactions of various US museums experts captured in this article here. The reappearance of these pictures will undoubtedly spur on the possibility of cracking the puzzle!
Congratulations to whoever bought the painting. I'm sure we'll see it again some time soon.
French State declares Baldung Grien National Treasure
March 24 2026
Picture: Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The aforementioned rediscovered drawing by Hans Baldung Grien was withdrawn from sale yesterday after the French State stepped in to declare the work of art a national treasure. The work now has a temporary export ban placed on it preventing its immediate sale.
According to the press release supplied to AHN:
“In light of the classification, which highlights the major importance of this drawing while disrupting the organisation of the auction scheduled for Monday, 23 March, given the strong interest expressed by the French Ministry of Culture in its acquisition, and despite the interest shown by several institutions and international collectors, the sellers wish to take the necessary time to pursue negotiations in a private context outside the auction process,” said Arthur de Moras, auctioneer at BEAUSSANT LEFÈVRE & Associés.
Research Old Masters at Sotheby's New York
March 18 2026
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Old Master Paintings Department at Sotheby's New York are hiring a Senior Researcher.
According to the job description:
The Senior Researcher, Old Master Paintings will serve a core member and research specialist for the Old Master Paintings department in New York. They will manage the research workflow and produce cataloguing at the highest level for all Old Master Paintings sales, both at auction and private sale.
They will work closely with our network of colleagues in Europe and cultivate their role as a full and active member of the global Old Masters departments.
Close co-operation and good communications with colleagues in the Old Masters and greater Global Fine Arts departments. Using national and international networks to ensure a consistent, client-focused message, delivering a high standard of active client management.
The job comes with a salary between $60,000 - $80,000 and no application deadline has been published.
Good luck if you're applying!
Rediscovered Pastels by Marianna Carlevarijs at Cheffins
March 16 2026
Picture: Cheffins
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Cambridgeshire that Cheffins will be offering three rediscovered pastels by Rosalba's pupil Marianna Carlevarijs on 25th March 2026.
According to their press release:
In each of the present three studies, examination of the Venetian blue paper mounted on a thin wooden strainer also reveals a preparatory practice very close to that of Rosalba. However, the distinctive rounded eyes, most notable in the portraits of the children, are indicative of the hand of Marianna (as was first noted by Xavier Salomon in email correspondence with the present vendor in 2021).
Although documentary evidence relating to Marianna’s output makes firm identification of the sitters difficult, she is known to have been supported by the wealthy Zenobio family in Venice, and her close association with Rosalba suggests she likely came into contact with prominent patrons. The fact that these three elegant portraits almost certainly depict members of the same family again highlights their rarity and importance in unravelling the history of the mysterious Marianna Carlevarijs.
Update - Neil Jeffares has pointed out that the works were first published on Pastellists, which you can read for free here.
Rediscovered Constable Sketch up in Dallas
March 16 2026
Picture: Heritage Auctions
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Texas that a study by John Constable has resurfaced whilst being deaccessioned by the Jefferson Historical Society and Museum. The society had been gifted the work in the 1960s and had long thought the painting to be a copy of the artist's The Cornfield which is in The National Gallery in London. The painting has been authenticated by Anne Lyles and Sarah Cove and will be sold by Heritage Auctions in Dallas 5th June 2026 (no estimate has been provided, as of yet).
Rediscovered Hans Süss Von Kulmbach up for sale
March 12 2026
Picture: Giquello / Drouot
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News has arrived that a rare rediscovered head study by Hans Süss Von Kulmbach, a contemporary of Dürer, will be offered by Giquello at Drouot on 31st March 2026. The work, which was researched by Cabinet Turquin, will be offered carrying an estimate of €200,000 - €300,000. Click on the link above to read the full catalogue note.
Francisco Herrera the Elder acquired by Foundation at Ansorena
March 2 2026
Picture: Ansorena via Arsmagazine
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Spanish Arsmagazine have pointed out in their roundup of the latest auction at Ansorena that the Masaveu Foundation in Madrid acquired Francisco Herrera the Elder's Saint Joseph and the Christ Child. The painting had sold for €160,000 (hammer). Click on the link above to read more.
Christie's Paris Sales
February 24 2026
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Christie's Paris have uploaded their upcoming Chefs-d'oeuvre de la collection Veil-Picard auction, which will take place on 25th March 2026. A few of the top lots of the upcoming Dessins Anciens et du XIXe siècle incluant une sélection de terres cuites sale, which will take place on the very same day, have also been uploaded to their website.
AI Raphael on the block
February 16 2026
Picture: Roseberys
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
A reader has kindly been in touch with news that a painting, which researchers from the University of Bradford and the University of Nottingham back in 2023 claimed AI had a '97% similarity' to Raphael, is coming up for sale at Roseberys in London. The painting will be offered as 'After Raphael' carrying an estimate of £8k - £12k.
To quote the key part of the painting's catalogue note:
In 2022, Professor Hassan Ugail, Director of the Centre of Visual computing at the University of Bradford, published research on analysis of the de Brécy Tondo, comparing its colour, texture, tonal values, hue, saturation and brushwork with 32 authentic paintings by Raphael, resulting in a comparison algorithm reporting a similarity value of 99%. Following this, the de Brécy Tondo was exhibited at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, from July 2023 to January 2024.
However, the attribution to Raphael has been disputed and is generally accepted as a later copy. The picture was possibly owned by Queen Henrietta Maria (1609-1669), who may have passed the work for safekeeping to her treasurer and receiver-general, Sir Richard Wynn (1588-1649). For further information, see https://www.debrecy.org.uk/.
As a reminder, here's the article from the BBC on the rediscovery back in 2023.
Antonello da Messina acquired by Italian State?
February 9 2026
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Italian art press are drawing attention to a Facebook post from the Fondazione Federico Zeri which claims that the Italian state have acquired Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo. The picture was withdrawn from last week's sale at Sotheby's New York. Several other social media posts from Italian cultural figures, some of which have been subsequently deleted, also seem to support this notion. An official announcement is still lacking. More news as and when it appears.
Update - Sotheby's have released an update that the painting was indeed acquired by the Italian state for $14.9m (which presumably includes commission).
Sotheby's New York Results
February 5 2026
Picture: Sotheby's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Sotheby's New York Master Paintings & Works of Art Part I sale realised $27,896,650 (all prices include commission) with 85.42% of lots sold / 80.4% including withdrawn lots.*
The lots that soared past their estimates included Fragonard's head study (pictured) which realised $2,734,000 over its $600k - $800k estimate, a curious 'French or Flemish School' portrait which made an impressive $2,307,000 over its $200k - $300k estimate, a Renaissance portrait by Biagio d'Antonio which also made $2,307,000 over its $800k - $1.2m estimate, a Giovanni Bellini and Workshop Woman at her Toilette which went for $2,002,000 over its $600k - $800k estimate, and a pair of Paters which realised $1,079,500 over their $400k - $600k estimate.
The curious news of the sale was the withdrawal of Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo, which was the top lot of the sale carrying an estimate of $10m - $15m. As the lot was both 'guaranteed' and carrying an irrevocable bid, we can only speculate as to why this may have been (or await a formal announcement for the reason in due course).
* - It appears 3 lots were withdrawn.
Michelangelo's Foot realises $23.1m Hammer
February 5 2026
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The aforementioned study of a foot by Michelangelo at Christie's New York soared past its $2m - $3m estimate this afternoon to realise a total of $23.1m (hammer), which is $27.2m including commission. An impressive work of art, and a now staggering price to go along with it, considering its size.
Christie's New York Results
February 4 2026
Picture: Christie's
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
The Christie's New York Old Masters sale achieved $54,130,050 (all prices inc. commission) this afternoon with 82.23% of lots sold.*
The top lot, the English period Canaletto, achieved $30,535,000, which is (with commission) just about the $30m 'estimate on request' price that was expected. Many pictures soared past their estimates, the majority of them being portraits. This included Artemisia Gentileschi's Self Portrait which made $5,687,000 over its $2.5m - $3.5m estimate, a portrait by Adriaen Isenbrandt which achieved $863,600 over its $400k - $600k estimate, a rather damaged Willem Key portrait from the Hispanic Society which realised $355,600 over its $60k - $80k estimate, a portrait given to the Circle of Sofonisba Anguissola which made $355,600 over its $60k - $80k estimate, and a rare portrait by Jacometto Veneziano which went for $1,460,500 over its $500k - $700k estimate.
* - I couldn't spot any withdrawn lots, but, I'm sure someone will write in if I'm wrong on this point!
