Season after season, Sotheby’s 19th Century European Art department presents exciting discoveries, often exhibiting paintings not seen in public for generations. As masterpieces by William Bouguereau, John William Godward and Eugen von Blaas appear on the market for the first time in a century, they represent unprecedented opportunities for collectors and viewers alike. Click ahead to learn the stories behind eight paintings that have long been treasured in exceptional private collections.
