Botticelli just makes anticipated amount at Sotheby’s auction, whilst other old masters exceed expectations

Last week saw Sotheby’s sale of old master paintings bringing in a staggering total of $91 million (with buyer’s fees). Despite this being a considerable sum, it is in fact lower than the equivalent sale last year at Sotheby’s, which made $114.5 million. The auction included the much anticipated sale of Sandro Botticelli’s The Man of Sorrows (circa 1500) which, it was revealed earlier this month through the use of technical analysis, has a hidden composition of a Madonna and Child underneath.

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Rare Poussin painting generously donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Thursday a “glitzy” Baroque painting by French artist Nicolas Poussin went on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Poussin’s Agony in the Garden (1626-7) has just been donated to the museum by collectors Barbara and Jon Landau, and adds to the Met’s collection of works by the artist, which is already the most impressive Poussin collection in North America.

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