Titian, A Sacra Conversazione to be sold at Sotheby's in New York in January 2011. (click on image to enlarge)
A monumental Titian features at Sotheby’s sale of Important Old Master Paintings in New York on January 27, 2011. A Sacra Conversazione: The Madonna and Child with Saints Luke and Catherine of Alexandria is one of only a handful of multi-figured compositions by the Venetian Renaissance master in private hands. Painted circa 1560 this is a mature work from a time when Titian was being courted by monarchs and emperors.
Historically referred to as ‘The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine’, the present canvas’s subject lies within the more traditional representation of a ‘sacra conversazione’, a holy conversation between the Madonna and Child and the saints. There is a remarkable provenance. In nearly 500 years it has only changed hands five times moving from one illustrious private European collection to another and rarely appearing in public at exhibition or at auction. It has not been seen in public since the late 1970’s and Sotheby’s say it is the most important Titian to appear at auction since 1991.
It is estimated to sell for $15/20 million.
UPDATE: IT sold for $16,882,500