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Rediscovered Van Dyck Painting Sold For Over $3Million

Post by : Hillary Musyoki

Paintings are used to express art and are sold at high prices depending on the painter and collector.

A rediscovered Anthony Van Dyck painting has sold for over $3million at auction.

The piece is a study for a later painting produced by the Flemish master called “St Jerome”. The final painting is currently held by the museum Boimans van Beuningen in Rotterdam

The painting, which portrays a nude old man sitting in a stool , is unique for a few reasons according to the Sotheby’s listing.

Photo// Van Dyck paintings. Photo Courtesy
Reasons

It is one of only two large studies that Van Dyck crafted from live models. It is believed to have been painted between 1615 and 1618, according to Sotheby’s while Van Dyck was  a young artist working alongside Peter Paul Rubens.

And the oil painting had an unexpected origin. The study was only recently identified as a work of Van Dyck said Sotheby’s in a statement.

The piece was discovered in the late 20th century in a farm shed in Kinderhook, New York.

“The person who found it , Albert B. Roberts , was a passionate collector of ‘lost’ pieces, describing his collection as an orphanage for lost art that had suffered neglect,” said the auction house.

Mr. Albert bought the neglected painting for just $600, according to the auction house. But shortly after art historian Susan J. Barnes published an article in which she recognized the piece as the work of Van Dyck.

The painting sold for $3million on Thursday.

It was offered to Sotheby’s by Robert’s Estate. And a portion of proceeds will benefit the Albert Robert Foundation Inc, which provides financial support to artists and other charities.

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