Dutch School, A portrait of a young boy, full-length, wearing a green hat and a white frill collar and holding a baton and a hobby horse, circa 1630. Estimate £8,000 – 12,000. Courtesy Sotheby's. 

LONDON.- This April, Sotheby’s will host its first ever Old Masters online sale devoted to a single dealer by offering works from the gallery of Rafael Valls. Presenting exceptional examples from the major schools of painting in Western Europe from the 16th to the 20th centuries amassed over the dealer’s 30 years in the art world, the selection includes a variety of works, from portraits and still lifes, to trompe l’oeils and genre paintings, reflecting the discerning eye for which Rafael Valls is known.

Featuring over 100 paintings carefully selected for their intriguing themes and quality, the online-only sale, open from 1 – 8 April, offers a unique opportunity for both new and established buyers to discover the virtues of collecting, with accessible estimates ranging from less than £1,000 to £30,000. The sale will be on view in Sotheby’s New Bond Street Galleries from 4 – 8 April 2020.

Over nearly four decades in the industry, Rafael Valls’ St. James’s gallery has established a long-held reputation as a leading dealer in Old Master Paintings, with specialist areas in Dutch, Flemish and Spanish works. Owned and run by Rafael Valls and his wife Caroline, the gallery is renowned for the exhibitions it holds once a year around Old Master Paintings Week, as well as exhibiting at The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht.

Andrew Fletcher, Sotheby’s Head of Old Master Paintings, said: “We are delighted to be working with leading Old Masters dealer Rafael Valls to offer this distinguished and eclectic group of works spanning five centuries. Since launching in 2017, our online Old Masters sales have proven to be a powerful platform for opening the field to new audiences while affording established buyers a new means of adding to their collections. In offering this diverse selection of paintings in a dedicated sale we hope to present our buyers with a unique opportunity to acquire high-quality works chosen over the course of an entire career by one of the most esteemed Old Masters dealers in Europe.”

Toby Campbell, Director of Rafael Valls noted: “We’re pleased to be able to offer works reflecting Rafael Valls’ taste and eclecticism to a wider audience in partnership with Sotheby’s and are very excited to be part of the digital side of their business in what will be the first Old Masters online sale devoted to a single dealer."

Gerard van Honthorst (1592–1656), A portrait, half-length, of a gentleman, believed to be Sir Thomas Ogle, wearindg a suit of armor, awhie collar and an orange sash, oil on canvas. Estimate £6,000 – 8,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Flemish School, Portrait of a physician in his study, wearing a fur-trimmed cloak  and resting his hand on an anatony book lad on a table with other books and a fine Ormolu clock, circa 1640. Estimate £2,500 – 3,500. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Carle van Loo (1705-1765), A nymph at her bath, oil on canvas, Estimate £8,000 – 12,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.