A drawing by the Italian master Michelangelo was auctioned in Paris on Wednesday for around 23 million euros. The pen drawing, the size of an A4 format, was only attributed to the Renaissance artist in 2019. He is said to have made this in 1490 at about age 15. It is his first known nude drawing.
It shows a muscular, slightly stooped man folding his arms and feeling cold, as well as two other people in the background. Michelangelo was inspired by a fresco by Masaccio. The work was initially attributed to his students. The auction house Christie’s had previously estimated the value at 30 million euros.
Buyer wants to remain anonymous
In 2019, it was declared a “national treasure” in France, meaning it was not allowed to leave the country for 30 months. During this time, the state or French museums could have bought the work. When this did not happen, the auction house exhibited the work in Hong Kong and New York before finally auctioning it in Paris. The identity of the buyer has not been disclosed.
Just over a week ago, pop artist Andy Warhol’s auction of a portrait of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe caused a stir in New York. With a final bid of $195 million (185 million euros), Shot Sage Blue Marilyn became the most expensive painting of the 20th century to be sold at auction.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
