In a stunning development for the global art world, a previously unknown sketch by the Renaissance master Michelangelo has been sold at a Christie’s auction in New York for a staggering $27.2 million (£21.4 million). The sale not only shattered the initial estimate of $1.5 million but also set a new world record for any work by the artist ever sold at auction.
The red chalk drawing, which depicts a right foot, has been identified as a preparatory study for the Libyan Sibyl, one of the monumental figures on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Experts believe the work dates back to 1511–1512, a pivotal period when Michelangelo was preparing the second phase of his iconic Vatican fresco.
A Discovery from a Photograph
The journey of the sketch from obscurity to the auction block is as remarkable as the price it fetched. An anonymous owner residing on the West Coast of the United States submitted a photograph of the drawing to Christie’s online portal, simply seeking a routine valuation.
Giada Damen, a specialist in the Old Master Drawings Department at Christie’s, immediately recognized the potential significance of the piece. After a six-month investigation involving infrared reflectography, Damen discovered additional sketches on the reverse side. The final confirmation came when she compared the sheet to an authenticated Michelangelo study at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Both pieces featured a matching 16th-century inscription: “Michelangelo Bona Roti.”
Historical Significance
This find is being hailed as a “once-in-a-lifetime” discovery. While roughly 600 drawings by Michelangelo survive, the majority are held in public institutions. This sketch is:
- One of only about 10 Michelangelo drawings still in private hands.
- The first unrecorded study for the Sistine Chapel ceiling to ever come to auction.
- A direct link to the creative process behind the world’s most famous fresco.
The seller inherited the artwork from his grandmother, unaware that the family heirloom—passed down through European ancestors since the late 1700s—was an original masterpiece.
Market Context
The sale underscores a booming market for rare Old Master works. The previous record for a Michelangelo was $24.3 million, set in 2022 for a pen-and-ink sketch of a nude man.
Andrew Fletcher, Global Head of Christie’s Old Masters Department, described the 45-minute bidding war as a historic moment. “This was likely the only chance a collector might have to acquire a study for arguably the greatest work of art ever made,” he stated.
