Velázquez Portrait coming up for sale in Madrid
February 17 2022
Picture: abc.es
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
News from Madrid that a Portrait of an Unknown Gentleman by Diego Velázquez is coming up for sale at the auction house Abalarte on 2nd March 2022.
The owners of the painting, which is part of the collection of the Vizcondes de Roda, had tried to sell it in the 2000s until the Spanish Government stepped in to declare it an Asset of Cultural Interest. Press reports do not make it clear whether the painting would be allowed to leave Spain or not.
Interestingly, the report linked above suggests that scholars believe the intricate lace ruff is a later addition by another hand. It is thought that the face is the work of the artist himself. The likes of the late Alfonso Pérez Sánchez (former Director of the Prado) and Carmen Garrido have supported the attribution.
The painting will be sold on 2nd March 2022 carrying an estimate of €2.5m - €3m.
