Artemisia Gentileschi's Lucrezia sold at auction for 4.78 million euros, record for artist

The Lucrezia by Artemisia Gentileschi (Rome, 1593 - Naples, 1654) that went to auction the day before yesterday at Artcurial went well over the estimates: the painting had returned to the market this summer(here is the history and analysis of the painting in detail) and had been valued at between 600 and 800,000 euros. The adjudication pulverized the estimate: 4,777,000 euros was the price realized, a figure that also represents a record for the 17th-century artist (the previous one, signed just two years ago, was for a Saint Catherine sold in Paris for 2.8 million euros).

A European collector bought the work; Artcurial has not released more information. The high price was due to two specific factors: the rarity of Artemisia Gentileschi on the market, and the growing collector (and other) interest in her after decades of low appeal. “Interest in old paintings is on the rise,” said Matthieu Fournier, director of Artcurial’s Old Masters department, “and for the first time we have seen contemporary art collectors shift to ancient art.”

Pictured: Artemisia Gentileschi, Lucrezia (1630-1637; oil on canvas, 97 x 76 cm; Private collection)

Artemisia Gentileschi's Lucrezia sold at auction for 4.78 million euros, record for artist

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.