Lot 104. Felice Ficherelli (San Gimignano 1603–1660 Florence), Saint Praxedis, oil on canvas, 115 x 90 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 150,000 to 200,000. Price realized EUR 350,508 (USD 350,000). © Dorotheum

IENNA.- Old masters are always in season – as the Dorotheum auction of 17th October 2017 once again showed, when numerous bidders vied to acquire the excellent selection of paintings at this well-attended event. 

The remarkable story behind the work of the Florentine painter Felice Ficherelli, as well as the fact that is has spent the last few centuries in a family collection, were reflected in the sensational 350,508 Euros paid by an art enthusiast for "St Praxedis". Dorotheum’s research revealed that the painting once so impressed the famous painter Jan Vermeer that he copied this particular version. 

Giovanni Paolo Castelli's (“Lo Spadino“) pre-Surrealist allegorical series of the four seasons rendered in fruits and plants reached a total of 436,956 Euros. Simon Vouet's picture of a high-ranking officer was acquired by an international museum for an excellent 295,800 Euros. 

Lot 116. Giovanni Paolo Castelli, called Lo Spadino (Rome 1659 - circa 1730), An anthropomorphic allegory of Spring, oil on canvas, 131 x 94 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 80,000 to 120,000. Price realized EUR 109,239 (USD 129,500). © Dorotheum

Lot 117. Giovanni Paolo Castelli, called Lo Spadino (Rome 1659 - circa 1730), An anthropomorphic allegory of Summer, oil on canvas, 131 x 94 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 80,000 to 120,000. Price realized EUR 109,239 (USD 129,500). © Dorotheum

Lot 118. Giovanni Paolo Castelli, called Lo Spadino (Rome 1659 - circa 1730), An anthropomorphic allegory of Autumn, oil on canvas, 131 x 94 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 80,000 to 120,000. Price realized EUR 109,239 (USD 129,500). © Dorotheum

Lot 119. Giovanni Paolo Castelli, called Lo Spadino (Rome 1659 - circa 1730), An anthropomorphic allegory of Winter, oil on canvas, 131 x 94 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 80,000 to 120,000. Price realized EUR 109,239 (USD 129,500). © Dorotheum

Lot 54. Simon Vouet (Paris 1590–1649), Portrait of a Gentleman with his dog, oil on canvas, 199.2 x 114.5 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 200,000 to 300,000. Price realized EUR 295,800 (USD 350,000). © Dorotheum 

A newly discovered Guercino work in oil on copper, which was originally a sketch for the painting "Christ Risen appearing to the Virgin Mary", sold for 137,200 Euros, and hence far above expectations. “Adam and Eve” from the Flemish School of the 17th century, likewise saw significant appreciation resulting in a winning bid of 186,000 Euros.  

Lot 83. Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called il Guercino (Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), The Risen Christ appears to the Virgin, oil on copper, 38.5 x 28 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 200,000 to 300,000. Price realized EUR 295,800 (USD 350,000). © Dorotheum 

Additional highlights included Jusepe de Ribera's portrait of the philosopher Heraclitus, Salomon van Ruysdael's “River estuary“ (each € 222,600), “A winter landscape with carnival scene, outside the Kipdorppoort Redoubt, Antwerp" attributed to Sebastian Vrancx, and a view of Venice by Giuseppe Bernadino Bison (each € 161,600).

Lot 77. Jusepe de Ribera (Játiva, Valencia 1591–1652 Naples), Heraclitus, signed and dated lower left: Jusepe de Ribera es/pañol. F. 1634, oil on canvas, 125 x 94.5 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 200,000 to 300,000. Price realized EUR 222,600 (USD 263,500). © Dorotheum 

Lot 99. Salomon van Ruysdael (Naarden 1600/3–1670 Haarlem), A river estuary with figures pulling in their nets by a fort, wijdships at a footbridge and other vessels beyond, signed lower right with initials and dated: SVR.1664, oil on canvas, 67.3 x 88.8 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 200,000 to 300,000. Price realized EUR 222,600 (USD 263,500). © Dorotheum 

Lot 15. Attributed to Sebastian Vrancx (Antwerp 1573–1647), A winter landscape with a carnival scene near the Kipdorppoort Bastion in Antwerp, oil on panel, 60 x 88 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 100,000 to 150,000. Price realized EUR 161,600 (USD 191,000). © Dorotheum

Lot 132. Giuseppe Bernardino Bison (Palmanova 1762–1844 Milan), The Palazzo Ducale and the Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice, oil on canvas, 57.5 x 79.5 cm, framed. Estimate EUR 100,000 to 150,000. Price realized EUR 161,600 (USD 191,000). © Dorotheum