A record for a work by Raphael at auction. Besides, this is now the second most cost product in the segment of old masters (Raphael drawing "Head of the Apostle," second only to Rubens' Massacre of the Innocents ")

Raphael
head young apostle. 1519-1520
Cardboard, black chalk, charcoal
Sotheby's. 5.12.2012
Estimate: 10-15 million pounds
Result: 29.7 million pounds
Source: Press Release Sotheby's

yesterday evening auction Sotheby's Old Masters Picture great Raphael "The head of the Apostle" (about 1519-1520) was sold for a record 29.7 million pounds (47.8 million dollars). After a hectic 17 minute dispute four contenders figure got a phone buyer. Hall gave a standing ovation to the new owner who paid for the graphics Raphael almost three times as much lower estimate 10 million pounds. Previous personal record of the artist, to keep from December 2009, belonged to the drawing "Head of the Muses": it was purchased in similar auctions Christie's for 29.2 million pounds (in dollar terms, however, was 47.9 million - slightly higher than " head of the Apostle, "but the point is to be in an unstable dollar exchange rate of 2009 m).

now drawing" Head of the Apostle "- the most expensive work of Raphael, the most expensive in the world of graphic arts in general, and the second at a cost of job creation in the segment of the old masters, sold at public auction (drawing by Raphael second only to Rubens' Massacre of the Innocents ").

Figure "The head of the Apostle" is a sketch for a magnificent late canvases "Transformation" from the collection of the Vatican picture gallery. "Portrait of the Apostle" comes from the collection of Peregrine Cavendish (Peregrine Cavendish), the 12th Duke of Devonshire. The family of the Dukes of Devonshire owns this picture Raphael for 300 years, it was purchased in the XVIII century, 2nd Duke of Devonshire, William Cavendish (William Cavendish). The proceeds will go to support the family castle of the Dukes of Devonshire Chatsworth in Derbyshire.

past 50 years, appeared at a public sale of all three figures of Raphael of such quality, and each is accompanied by the appearance of a record. In addition to the current record and the aforementioned sale of the picture "Head Muse" in 2009, another graphic work titled "The head of the Apostle," was sold in December 1996 for a record at the time of 5.3 million pounds.

From the collection of the Duke of Devonshire at yesterday's auction of old masters also exhibited a rare illuminated manuscripts XV century "Feats sire Gilles de Trazeni in the Holy Land" that had once belonged to the French king Francis I.

Lot rating 3-5 million pounds for 3.85 million pounds purchased Getty Museum.

addition striking result of trades on the drawing by Raphael, yesterday's auction Sotheby's general demonstrated the whole scattering of records: the works of Flemish mannerist Ian Masseysa ("Allegory of Charity", 445.25 thousand pounds), Dutch Jan Havikzoona Wall ("pre-dinner prayer", 5.64 million pounds), Jan van der mannerist Strata ("Hunting elephants ", 241.25 thousand pounds), Italian Niccolo di Pietro Gerini (" Scenes of the Passion of Christ, "1.1 million pounds), Giovanni Baglioni (" John the Baptist ", 313.25 thousand pounds), Andrea Vaccaro (" Lot and his daughter, "289.25 thousand pounds), and Giuseppe Baldrigi (" Portrait of Antonio Hedin family ", 205.25 thousand pounds). In all, 38 found buyers of 51 proposed lots (74.5%in value terms - 86.8%). Nine papers were sold expensive £ 1 million.

Prepared Maria Onuchina, AI

Source : Press Release Sotheby's