Story Highlights
Discover the fascinating story behind the sale of Michelangelo’s sketch at Christie’s auction.
Introduction to Fame
What is fame? Perhaps it’s when a simple sketch on a small piece of paper fetches thousands of dollars.
The Auction Event
In a remarkable turn of events, a small yellowed paper with a square sketch by the renowned Renaissance artist Michelangelo was sold for an astounding $201,600 at a recent auction held by Christie’s in the US. This amount was 33 times higher than its initial estimated value.
The Sketch’s Discovery
The sketch was discovered attached to the back of another Michelangelo painting, which had been part of a private collection for many years. Initially expected to be sold for $6,000 to $8,000, the final selling price exceeded all expectations.
Details of the Sketch
The sketch depicts a block of marble with the word “simile” written on it, translating to “similar” in English. It is believed to have been created during Michelangelo’s work on the iconic Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Historical Context
Accompanied by a letter from Michelangelo’s descendant, Cosimo Buonarroti, dated 1836, the sketch was presented to Sir John Bowring, the future governor of Hong Kong. Despite being unsigned, Christie’s research team has confirmed the authenticity of the sketch as Michelangelo’s work.
