Important Old Master Paintings and Sculpture at Sotheby’s will feature significant works by artists from across Europe. The sale will be on public exhibition in Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries beginning Jan. 22.
The term “old master” refers to painters of a certain skill level who worked before 1800.
“In theory, an Old Master should be an artist who was fully trained, was a Master of his local artists’ guild, and worked independently, but, in practice, paintings considered to be produced by pupils or workshops will be included in the scope of the term. Therefore, beyond a certain level of competence, date rather than quality is the criterion for using the term,” Sotheby’s Darrell Rocha explained in an e-mail.
Titian’s monumental “Sacra Conversazione,” a rare work by the artist still in private hands, (estimated value at $15 million to $20 million), leads the morning session of Important Old Master Paintings.
The afternoon session is led by “An Italian Marble Relief Portrait of Cosimo I de’ Medici” by Baccio Bandinelli, executed just prior to the future Grand Duke’s rise to power in 1537.
The term “old master” refers to painters of a certain skill level who worked before 1800.
“In theory, an Old Master should be an artist who was fully trained, was a Master of his local artists’ guild, and worked independently, but, in practice, paintings considered to be produced by pupils or workshops will be included in the scope of the term. Therefore, beyond a certain level of competence, date rather than quality is the criterion for using the term,” Sotheby’s Darrell Rocha explained in an e-mail.
Titian’s monumental “Sacra Conversazione,” a rare work by the artist still in private hands, (estimated value at $15 million to $20 million), leads the morning session of Important Old Master Paintings.
The afternoon session is led by “An Italian Marble Relief Portrait of Cosimo I de’ Medici” by Baccio Bandinelli, executed just prior to the future Grand Duke’s rise to power in 1537.
Important Old Master Paintings
“A Sacra Conversazione: The Madonna and Child with Saints Luke and Catherine of Alexandria,” by the Renaissance master Titian, is the most important work of his to appear at auction since 1991.
Titian painted “Sacra Conversazione” circa 1560, when he had reached the height of his artistic skills, according to Sotheby’s. He’s considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western art.
