The painting will leave French soil, but the sales price and identity of the buyer are protected by a confidentiality agreement.
Workers carry “Judith and Holofernes,” believed to be by Caravaggio, to a public presentation at the Drouot auction house in Paris earlier this month.
For the last five years, residents of this southern city have been captivated by the Caravaggio, as it is simply called, whose owners have added to the sense of mystery by remaining steadfastly anonymous. With ancient homes and apartments often stuffed with old neglected paintings and furniture handed down through generations, the Toulouse Caravaggio has left residents fantasizing about what might be lurking in their own attics.
Before the Caravaggio entered his life, Labarbe had already carved out a successful career. He had a taste of international notoriety when he led an auction of components from the old Concorde supersonic jetliners back in 2007. Later he sold a client’s ancient Chinese scroll for 22 million euros, about $25 million at current exchange rates. But much of the auctioneer’s job is fielding queries from people wondering if some bric-a-brac might have something more than sentimental value.
The Toulouse Caravaggio was no different. The painting depicts a Biblical scene in which Judith, having seduced the invading general Holofernes and gotten him drunk, cuts his throat to save her people. The episode has been a popular image for artists across the centuries.Indeed, there is another Caravaggio painting of Judith and Holofernes that he made around 1600 and that hangs in the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica in Rome.
“It was generally conceded that, regardless of attribution, this is a very major work of art, indeed, and one fully worthy of the controversy it has inspired,” Christiansen wrote. Following the French Revolution, the records become even more chaotic. The Caravaggio’s former owners traced its heritage back to a soldier who served in Napoleon’s army. Exactly how it found its way to that attic remains a mystery. But throughout, the family has insisted on remaining anonymous to protect their children and avoid publicity, Labarbe said.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Caravaggio painting found in French attic sold to mystery foreign buyerA mystery foreign buyer has snapped up a painting by Italian master Caravaggio t...
Consulte Mais informação »
Take a tour of Mark Zuckerberg's gigantic $100 million property in HawaiiThe tech billionaire has 750-acres on Kaua'i
Consulte Mais informação »
A dusty old painting turned up in an attic in France. It may sell for $100 million“This story is beautiful, and this story makes us dream,” auctioneer Marc Labarbe said. “But what really makes us dream is the painting. It really is a wonder. We are very lucky.”
Consulte Mais informação »
Samsung’s New Galaxy Fit Covers the Basics for $100With automatic workout tracking and more than 90 trackable activities, the Samsung Galaxy Fit presents a colorful alternative to Fitbit’s Inspire HR.
Consulte Mais informação »
Indian builders woo buyers with cleaner, greener, 'smart' homesWhen Arkesh Mishra, 33, and his wife Anasuya scouted for a new home in India&03...
Consulte Mais informação »