Painting by Titian the early 16th century that was once looted by Napoleon’s troops and stolen again in the 1990s when it was left behind at a bus stop in a plastic bag is being auctioned by Christie’s.
Its sale price is estimated at $32 million.
Owners of the painting with a tumultuous history include the empress Maria Theresa of Austria and the first Duke of Hamilton. It will be the first time in 145 years that Rest on the Flight will be sold at auction.
One of the last religious works from the artist’s early period to remain privately owned, it was last auctioned by Christie’s in 1878, before joining the collection of Longleat Manor in England.
The Venetian painter of the Renaissance Tiziano Vecelli (1488/90-1576), known as Titian, is believed to have painted the artwork around 1510, although some experts have argued that it could be a 1508-1509 painting.
“This magnificent early masterpiece of Titian’s is one of the most poetic works of his youth. Having passed through the hands of Holy Roman Emperors, this magical painting has the rare reputation of having been stolen not once but twice – first by Napoleon and secondly in the 1990s. We are honored to be entrusted with bringing this important and beautifully preserved painting on the London market this July,” said Orlando Rock, chairman of Christie’s UK.
The painting will be sold at an auction of works of great painters organized on July 2 in London.