Christie’s Classic Week Evening sales, featuring the Old Masters Part I Sale and The Exceptional Sale, achieved a combined total of £50,788,420 ($64,145,774 / €59,676,394).
The highlight of the evening was Titian’s early masterpiece, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” which set a new auction record for the artist by selling for £17,560,000 ($22,178,280 / €20,633,000).
This remarkable piece garnered worldwide attention and admiration during pre-sale exhibitions in New York, Hong Kong, and London. Notably, 20% of new registrants to these sales were millennials, with buyers predominantly from EMEA (72%), followed by APAC (15%) and the Americas (13%).
Impressive Totals for Classic Week London
The sales bring the running total for Classic Week London to £53,609,182 ($67,708,397 / €62,990,789). This success builds on the strength in the market, as recently demonstrated at Christie’s Paris last month when Chardin’s “Le Melon Entamé” sold for €26.7 million.
This sale set a new record for the artist and became the most expensive Old Master painting sold in France, the most expensive 18th-century French Old Master painting globally, and the most expensive work sold in France in 2024.
Old Masters Part I Sale: A Summary
The Old Masters Part I Sale realised £43,594,800 ($55,060,232 / €51,223,890). Among the top lots:
Titian’s “Rest on the Flight into Egypt”
Titian’s early masterpiece, “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” sold for £17,560,000 ($22,178,280 / €20,633,000), setting a new world auction record for the artist.
With a rich history of ownership by Dukes, Archdukes, and Holy Roman Emperors, this painting was looted by Napoleon and stolen in the late 20th century. It was offered by Lord Bath and the Longleat Trustees as part of their long-term investment strategy.
Quentin Metsys’s “The Madonna of the Cherries”
Quentin Metsys’s masterpiece, “The Madonna of the Cherries,” realised £10,660,000 ($13,463,580 / €12,525,500), setting a new world auction record for the artist. Painted in the 1520s, this work is one of Metsys’s most celebrated paintings and had a significant influence on subsequent generations of artists.
Frans Hals’s “Portrait of a Gentleman of the de Wolff Family”
Frans Hals’s “Portrait of a Gentleman of the de Wolff Family,” possibly Joost de Wolff, sold for £5,715,000 ($7,218,045 / €6,715,125). It was sold on the instruction of the Viscount Cowdray and his trustees.
Enduring Fascination with Titian’s Masterpiece
Lord Bath commented, “It has been fabulous to see the interest in Titian’s work as this unique painting was previewed in the lead-up to this evening’s auction. It has been well-received which clearly demonstrates how the fascination with this exquisite early masterpiece has been maintained across the centuries. It has an extraordinary history, looted by Napoleon, bought by the 4th Marquess in 1878 and then stolen from Longleat in 1995 before miraculously being recovered. As the next chapter in the Rest on the Flight into Egypt’s story is written, I am pleased with the outcome of tonight; which will support our considerable long-term investment strategy at Longleat to build on the vision and legacy of my ancestors for the benefit of future generations.”
Orlando Rock, Chairman of Christie’s UK, noted, “This result is a tribute to the impeccable provenance and quiet beauty of this sublime early masterpiece by Titian, which is one of the most poetic products of the artist’s youth. This picture has captured the imaginations of audiences for more than half a millennia and will no doubt continue to do so.”
A Decade-High Success for Old Masters Evening Sales
Clementine Sinclair, Head of Old Masters London, stated, “We are thrilled to have presented one of the strongest Old Masters Evening sales at Christie’s London in over a decade, with rare masterpieces representing many of the key European schools, which were fresh to the market with remarkable provenance; 22% of the works in the sale had not been offered on the market in at least a century – the early Titian, which had been owned by Dukes, Archdukes and Holy Roman Emperors returned to Christie’s after nearly 150 years, and the Hals was last offered for sale at Christies in 1919. The recently rediscovered prime of Metsys’ Madonna of the Cherries sparked a huge amount of international interest and excitement, establishing a new record for one of the most celebrated artists of the Northern Renaissance. Overall, it showed the continuing breadth and depth of demand for exceptional works of art.”
The Exceptional Sale: A Summary
Christie’s Exceptional Sale realised a total of £7,193,620 ($9,085,542 / €8,452,504). Highlights of the sale included:
The Nezu ‘Tribute Bearers’ Automaton Clock
An Imperial Chinese ormolu and paste-set automaton, musical and striking table clock, from the Guangzhou workshops of the Qianlong period (1736-1795), sold for £756,000 ($954,828 / €888,300).
A Greek Bronze Head of Eros
A Greek bronze head of Eros, circa 2nd-1st century B.C., realised £1,855,000 ($2,342,865 / €2,179,625).
A Royal Bridesmaid’s Dress by Norman Hartnell
A royal bridesmaid’s dress by Norman Hartnell, worn at the wedding of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, achieved £37,800 ($47,741 / €44,415). This dress was worn by the late Lady Elizabeth Longman, a childhood friend of the late Queen.
Amjad Rauf, International Head of Masterpiece and Private Sales, commented, “The London Exceptional Sale was led by the head of Eros, a Hellenistic Antiquity from the Sydney Lamon Collection, selling for more than two times the high estimate. Further highlights with historic provenances were the Imperial Chinese clock from the Nezu Collection, a bureau mazarin by BVRB I from Buxted Park, a pietra dura tabletop with the arms of the Cavalli and a Louis XVI giltwood pliant from Versailles, which was acquired by the French State and will return to the château. This highlights that our clients are very interested in the histories and stories of the works on offer, as well as their rarity and exquisite craftsmanship.”
Conclusion
The impressive results from Christie’s Classic Week Evening sales underscore the enduring appeal and significant value of Old Master paintings and exceptional artifacts.
Record-breaking sales, such as Titian’s “Rest on the Flight into Egypt” and Quentin Metsys’s “The Madonna of the Cherries,” highlight the robust demand and appreciation for masterpieces with rich histories and impeccable provenance.
The success of these auctions not only reflects the market’s strength but also Christie’s expertise in presenting and curating extraordinary works of art.
As collectors continue to seek unique and historically significant pieces, Christie’s remains a pivotal platform for celebrating and preserving cultural heritage.
Images: Christie’s
