A painting by legendary 17th century Spanish artist Diego Velazquez is set to go under the hammer in what is believed to be “the last ever chance to buy a Velazquez”.
The portrait that will be auctioned is believed to have been painted between 1621 and 1623 by legendary Spanish artist Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez, who was baptised in Seville in 1559 and who died in Madrid in 1660, aged 61.
Velazquez is considered the leading artist of the Spanish Golden Age, which followed Spain’s enrichment by treasure from the Americas.
An artist of the Baroque period, his most famous work is ‘Las Meninas’ (‘The Ladies-in-waiting’), completed in 1656 and on display at Madrid’s famed Museo del Prado.
The portrait painted between 1621 and 1623 is set to be auctioned at the Abalarte auction house in the Spanish capital on 2nd March.
It is not allowed to be exported, and, as far as the starting price goes, the catalogue simply says “consult department”.
Spanish news outlet ABC contacted Gonzalo Mora, the auction house’s director, who said the work’s estimated price is EUR 2.5 million to EUR 3 million (GBP 2.09 million to GBP 2.50 million), but declined to reveal the starting price.
The last Velazquez work to be auctioned, ‘Retrato de nina’ (‘Portrait of a Little Girl’) went under the hammer at the same auction house in 2017, fetching EUR 9.7 million (GBP 8.09 million) including fees.
Art expert Richard de Willermin, whose expertise lies in paintings of the era, said of the upcoming auction: “This is the last chance in the world to buy a Velazquez” (translated from the Spanish-language report).
