Bernardo Bellotto (1721-1780), Dresden from the right bank of the Elbe above the Augustus Bridge. Courtesy Christie’s Images Ltd., 2015.
Works by Bellotto, Rubens, Gainsborough, Guardi and Breughel the Younger – including property from the Alfred Beit Foundation in Ireland – will lead Christie’s Old Master and British Paintings evening sale in London on July 9. Many of the highlights have not been seen on the market for generations. A masterpiece by Bernardo Bellotto (1721-1780), Dresden from the right bank of the Elbe above the Augustus Bridge, is one of the last great views of the city by the artist still in private hands (£8-12 million). There are six paintings from The Alfred Beit Foundation with two superb panels by Rubens – Head of a bearded man (£2-3 million), and Venus and Jupiter (£1.2-1.8 million); and one of the greatest Kermesse scenes by David Teniers the Younger (£1.2-1.8 million).
Other sale highlights are a portrait of Sir Richard Brooke, 5th Bt. by Thomas Gainsborough, which has never been on the market before; A coastal landscape with fisherfolk by Richard Parkes Bonington (£2-3 million); four works by Pieter Brueghel the Younger; seven Dutch paintings from the Cunningham collection, led by an exquisite Still-Life by Jan Davidsz de Heem (£1.5-2.5 million); Christ on the Cross by El Greco and studio (£1-1.5 million); Hermes entertained by Calypso by Jacob Jordaens (£600,000 – 800,000) and Ruins of the old church at Muiderberg by Jacob van Ruisdael (£500,000-800,000)
UPDATE: On June 12 The Irish Times reported that Russborough House received an export licence for another Rubens entitled Portrait of a Monk, bust length. The Alfred Beit Foundation declined to comment and it is not known whether the work has yet been sold.
UPDATE: The Beit Paintings have been withdrawn from the auction following a request from the Beit Foundation.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for May 1, 2015).
