Old Masters

This winter, Sotheby’s proudly presents Old Masters 2025, a captivating series of auctions celebrating six centuries of artistic mastery. From paintings and drawings to rare objects, the sales offer a diverse array of works across various themes and time periods. Leading the series is our flagship auction, Master Paintings Part I, featuring a carefully curated selection of important works, including Sir Peter Paul Rubens’ Annunciation, an extraordinary Baroque masterpiece that exemplifies the artist’s brilliance and emotional depth.

This year’s highlights also include the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, an instrument of exceptional historical significance crafted by Antonio Stradivari during his renowned “Golden Period” in 1714. Offered by the New England Conservatory with all proceeds dedicated to student scholarships, this remarkable violin carries a legacy enriched by its distinguished provenance, including ownership by Si-Hon Ma and Joseph Joachim.

Additionally, we are thrilled to present The Vision of Aso O. Tavitian, an exceptional single-owner collection offered in a series of four sales, showcasing English furniture, Old Master paintings, and European sculpture.

This season, we invite clients to explore the excitement of Old Masters as it travels across the globe, beginning in Hong Kong on October 31, with additional stops in Los Angeles (November 7–8) and London (November 29–December 3).

Then, join us this February in our New York galleries for the grand culmination of this journey, where you’ll have the opportunity to view these exceptional works in their entirety and immerse yourself in the artistry and historical significance of each piece.

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Event Schedule

2 February

New Exhibitions of Old Master Drawings: Conversations with Curators
Presentations and Panel Discussion
Presented in partnership with Trois Crayons
11:00AM

The Legacy of Aso O. Tavitian: Collector, Philanthropist and Connoisseur.
Presentation
Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark Art Institute
2:00PM