O
ur online auction Tableaux Dessins Sculptures 1300-1900 brings together more than a hundred works of art covering 600 years of art history from medieval times to the 19th century. The auction included a large section dedicated to Flemish painting, with works by Adriaen van Stalbemt, Sebastien Vrancx and Jan Brueghel the Younger in collaboration with Hendrick van Balen. Italy is well represented, with works by Francesco Albotto and Pietro Bellotti, while Sébastien Bourdon, Boilly and Gauffier will honour French painting. The auction also includes important works from the 19th century by Khnopff, Delacroix, de Feure and Roqueplan.
Sotheby's is pleased to present old masters and 19th century paintings and bronzes from the La Rochefoucauld collections at the Château de Verteuil in Charente. This imposing residence, which has dominated the Charente for a thousand years, from the stronghold erected in the Middle Ages to the present castle, is also linked to the history of the La Rochefoucauld family. Over the centuries, it has been home to some of the greatest names in French and European history. François I de La Rochefoucauld received King François I of France in 1516, and Anne de Polignac, wife of François II, welcomed Charles V a few years later. In the middle of the Wars of Religion and following the conversion of François III to Protestantism, Verteuil received Henri III, then Queen Catherine de Médicis, Queen Margot and Henri IV, friend of François IV. In the 17th century, Marie de Médicis, Louis XIII and Anne of Austria successively stayed in this La Rochefoucauld fiefdom. A rebel, François VI was forced by Louis XIV to remain on his Charente lands. From this forced exile, the famous "Maximes" were born in Verteuil. The Revolution did not cause the property to falter, although it was partly burnt down. Sold as national property to a Breton family, it was not until 1858 that Verteuil returned to the family. Count Hippolyte, minister under the Restoration and French ambassador to Florence, had it partly restored by Italian architects and partly refurnished with acquisitions imported from Italy. It is this spirit that shines through today in these souvenirs offered at auction. The provenance: the former La Rochefoucauld collection at the Château de Verteuil is indicated for each lot and will allow new buyers to take ownership of a small part of the history of this emblematic place.
