Sir Peter Paul Rubens (Siegen, Westphalia 1577 – 1640 Antwerp) Two studies of a young man, oil on panel, 18 ½ x 26 in. (47 x 65.9 cm.) Estimate: £4,000,000–6,000,000. Realized realised £3,828,500 / $7,741,993. © Christie's Images Ltd. 2007.

LONDON.- Christie’s evening auction of Important Old Master and British Pictures including Works from the Collection of Anton Philips realised a total of £18,802,200 / $38,021,808 / €26,041,047. The top lot was Two studies of a young man, a little-known work by Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), which realised £3,828,500 / $7,741,993 / €5,302,473, the highest ever price for a Rubens oil sketch at auction. Another leading highlight of the sale was a rediscovered painting by Jan Lievens (1607-1674) which was offered at auction for the first time having been in the ownership of the present family for over 200 years, and which sold for £2,148,500 / $4,344,697 / €2,975,673 establishing a world record price for the artist at auction.

The Rubens was the highlight of a group of Important Old Master Pictures from the Collection of Anton Philips which realised a total of £6,371,100 / $12,883,638 / €8,823,974.

Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=22542