This painting of Judith and Holofernes – believed to be a long lost work by Caravaggio – will come under the hammer in Toulouse on June 27 with an estimate of 100-150 million. The case for this being a work by the master is compelling, not categoric. It was discovered by auctioneer Marc Labarbe in an attic in Toulouse five years ago. The family that owns it have lived for decades in Toulouse and descends from a Napoleonic officer who took part in the Spanish campaign from 1810-1814. After the discovery of what was instantly recognised as an important 17th century Italian work Labarbe called on art appraiser Eric Turquin. Aided by a team they researched the work for two years. The French Ministry of Culture classified it as a major treasure, which prevented it from being taken out of the country for a period of 30 months. The Louvre, which has three works by Caravaggio and a budget that is not limitless, decided not to buy it. The deadline expired last December. There are 68 known paintings by Caravaggio, only four in private hands. Marc Labarbe discovered an Imperial Chinese scroll in 2011 which subsequently sold for 22 million.
UPDATE: THE PAINTING WAS SOLD TO A FOREIGN BUYER SAID TO BE CLOSE TO A MAJOR MUSEUM TWO DAYS PRIOR TO AUCTION. THE PRICE WAS NOT DISCLOSED.
