04/01/2002

On January the 24th, 2002 Sotheby’s, New York will offer their auction of Old Master Paintings and with two portraits of St. Peter and St. Thomas by Sir Anthony van Dyck, which are among the most important early works by the artist. Painted at the end of van Dyck’s first Antwerp period, the present panels are the only two that remain together, and are estimated at $ 600,000-800,000 each (€ 663,510-884,680). Also of note are Jean Baptiste-Siméon Chardin’s Kitchen Still Life with a Copper Cauldron, estimated at $ 1.25-1.75 million (€ 1.38-1.93 million) while Francesco Pesellino’s Madonna and Child Seated on a Window Ledge, is estimated to sell for $ 300,000-400,000 (€ 331,780-442,380). Intriguingly this small panel is painted on the reverse with a sculptural motif and suggests that the work was a private (or secular) commission rather than being intended for a church. Finally to be mentioned is a Nativity by Pieter Paul Rubens, estimated to sell for $ 800,000-1.2 million (€ 884,830-1.32 million). (Andrew Moore)