Overview
The disruption caused to the traditional art world calendar by the global pandemic has allowed us to re-think and re-imagine the format of summer at Sotheby’s London. As such, we have decided to create a one-off Evening Sale, bringing together the best works from four major collecting areas: Old Masters, Impressionist & Modern Art, Modern & Post-War British Art and Contemporary Art. The auction will present over 500 years of creativity and innovation, from across the globe. It will be led, appropriately, by the man who has had perhaps the greatest influence on all subsequent painters up to the present day: Rembrandt.
Rembrandt’s self-portraits are amongst the most recognizable images in the entire canon of western art and, of the forty-one that survive, his 1632 self-portrait presented here is one of only three remaining in private hands and the only one ever likely to come to market. Joining it is a remarkable painting by Bernardo Bellotto, a lyrical view of Dresden and one of the city’s most important landmarks, the Zwinger, a masterpiece of festive Baroque architecture. Painted around 1758, it is one of the artist’s most striking compositions, with its fine detail very well preserved. Further highlights will be announced in the coming weeks.
It is our belief that this exciting, unique sale will resonate with all collectors, both long-established and a new generation – the fastest growing group transacting with Sotheby’s - who are perhaps less concerned with traditional art market categories and instead are looking to acquire works that are beautiful and important, regardless of where or when they were made.
There has never been a better time to look at the way we do things a little differently and bring together the best of what Sotheby’s has to offer.
The Evening Sale will take place on the 28 July and will be complemented by individual sales for each of the respective categories, which will close online in the following days. The complete Evening Sale catalogue will be live on 13 July 2020, but in the meantime selected works can be viewed below.
Illustrated
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn
Self-portrait, half-length, wearing a ruff and a black hat
Estimate £12,000,000–16,000,000
Fernand Léger
Nature morte
Estimate £8,000,000–12,000,000
Highlights Exhibition 3 – 11 July 2020
Full Exhibition 12 - 28 July 2020
Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Public Opening
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM By Appointment Only
* Exhibition closed on Saturday 11 July from 1-5pm.
To book an appointment please email your details to AppointmentsLondon@sothebys.com or call +44 (0) 207 293 5449
In accordance with government guidelines we ask clients to adhere to the following measures when entering the building:
· Use hand sanitiser immediately on arrival
· Wear a mask. Masks will be provided as needed
· Adhere to social distancing of 2 metres apart
· Clients that do not adhere to these requirements will not be allowed entrance into the premises
Contact Information
