Property from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit the European Paintings Acquisition Fund. Ansano Di Pietro di Mencio, called Sano di Pietro, Madonna and Child; Saint John the Baptist; Saint Jerome: A Portable Triptych. Estimate $300,000–500,000.
This depiction of the Madonna and Christ, flanked by Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Jerome, is a rare, intact, portable triptych by Sano di Pietro. It dates back to the 15th century and is being offered from the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Property from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit the European Paintings Acquisition Fund. Jacopo Robusti, called Jacopo Tintoretto, Portrait of a young nobleman, three-quarter length, with a black velvet cap, doublet, and cape, resting his hand on a sword. Estimate $80,000–120,000.
This 1551 painting, also previously in The Met’s collection, is from one of the most important periods of Tintoretto’s development as a portrait painter. The same year this work was completed, Tintoretto replaced Titian as the official portraitist of the Venetian Republic – a position he secured through his social connections, the quality of his work and the speed of his execution.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Property from the Jack and Eileen Feather Collection. Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, Portrait of a young woman dressed as a page, bust-length. Estimate $100,000–150,000.
This depiction of a young woman dressed as a page is one of a group of fantasy portraits by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo which have been dated to his years in Spain between 1762-1770. These bust-length portraits were probably conceived in sets, portraying young women dressed in exotic costumes, adorned with garlands of flowers, musical instruments or other props.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
In the light of Caravaggio: Still Lifes from a Private Collection. Fede Galizia, Still life of peaches, jasmine, and a spray of hyacinth in a metal fruit stand, with tulips and hazelnuts in the hull, all on a stone ledge. Estimate $100,000–150,000.
This vivid still life is an early work by the pioneering female painter Fede Galizia. The artist played a fundamental role in the emergence of still-life painting throughout Italy and Europe during the first quarter of the 17th century.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Property from the Jack and Eileen Feather Collection. Jean-Baptiste Greuze, L’effroi, a young girl, bust-length, with her hair tied in a red scarf. Estimate $80,000–120,000.
Greuze often painted close-up studies of heads, or têtes d'expression, as a method of exploring a range of emotions. The present painting, called l'effroi, or "fright," subtly depicts a young, nervous and scared girl turned to the side. Greuze was unmatched in his ability to capture emotion in a realistic and empathetic sense.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Property of an American Collector. François-Hubert Drouais, Portrait of Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour. Estimate $60,000–80,000.
Born Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour was the maîtresse en titre, or official mistress, of King Louis XV. As an arbiter of taste, she was instrumental to the development of 18th-century French painting.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Property from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sold to Benefit the European Paintings Acquisition Fund. François-Hubert Drouais, A Boy Playing with a House of Cards, on a gilt upholstered footstool. Estimate $50,000–70,000.
Starting in the 17th century, playing cards were popular amongst adults, and leftover cards from old decks would be given to children to play with. Here in this painting from the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Drouais has created a charming narrative: a young boy, well-dressed with a blue silk sash tied at his waist, is building a house of cards upon an upholstered footstool.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Santi di Tito, Portrait of Marie de’ Medici. Estimate $40,000–60,000.
Santi di Tito's Portrait of Marie de' Medici reflects the influence of Bronzino, the artist's master, while also offering a more naturalistic approach.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
In the light of Caravaggio: Still Lifes from a Private Collection. Panfilo Nuvolone, Still life with a raised stand, peaches, figs, and a pumpkin, all on a marble ledge. Estimate $80,000–120,000.
Painted with exquisite order and sensitivity, this beautiful still life of peaches, figs and a pumpkin is among the most refined and detailed works by Panfilo Nuvolone.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
Adriaen Isenbrant, The Flight into Egypt. Estimate $150,000–200,000.
Rendered from a bird's-eye perspective with close attention to detail, this is a remarkable example of Netherlandish landscape painting. From the Berkshire Museum collection, this work encourages an exploration of every corner of its impressive vista, from the dense group of trees in the right foreground to the soft, blue-toned horizon in the distance.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York
This May, fantasy portraits, bountiful still lifes and gold-ground paintings will all feature in Sotheby’s Master Paintings auction in New York. Among the highlights are a gilded triptych by Sano di Pietro, a three-quarter length portrait by Tintoretto – hailing from The Metropolitan Museum of Art – and paintings of two of France’s most notorious female figures: the Marquise de Pompadour and Marie de' Medici. Ahead, view these paintings and other must-see works from the sale and be sure to visit Sotheby’s New York galleries where these select works will be on view from 14–24 April.
Master Paintings
22 May | New York