Once discovered in a plastic bag at a London bus stop, a twice-stolen painting by Italian Renaissance painter Titian is predicted to bring up to $32 million at auction in July.
“The Rest on the Flight into Egypt” is going under the hammer at Christie’s with an estimate of £15 million-£25 million ($19 million-$32 million), according to a statement from the auction house.
After learning that Herod, King of Judea, intended to have the young Christ killed, the painting shows Jesus, Mary, and Joseph relaxing on their journey to Egypt.
The piece was created by Titian, whose true name was Tiziano Vecellio, during the early years of his career in the 16th century, according to CNN.
With dimensions of only 18.25 by 24.75 inches (46.2 x 62.9 centimetres), the painting is little in comparison to some of the larger pieces for which Titian gained recognition in his final years.
The history of oil on canvas paintings is astounding.
The picture was stolen by Napoleonic troops during the French conquest of Vienna in 1809 and transferred to Paris after changing hands among several European nobility.
After being brought back to Vienna in 1815, the piece went through many private collections before finding its way to Wiltshire, England’s John Alexander Thynne, 4th Marquess of Bath.
It was taken in 1995 from Thynne’s ancestors’ Longleat estate, and it was lost for seven years until art investigator Charles Hill discovered it at a London bus stop.
“Like its subjects, The Rest on the Flight into Egypt has been on a long and eventful journey — a journey that’s far from over.”
The painting will be up for bid on July 2 at Christie’s in London as part of the Old Masters Part I auction.
