Masterpiece by El Greco: Exquisite Renaissance Panel, 'The Entombment of Christ,' Headlines Auction

In an upcoming auction, two extremely rare Rembrandt portraits, the last known pair by the renowned Dutch master still in private possession, are expected to fetch approximately $10 million.

These portraits, dating back to 1635 and depicting the married couple Jan Willemsz van der Pluym and Jaapgen Carels, who had close ties to Rembrandt's family, have been estimated to be valued between 5 million and 8 million pounds ($6.35 million to $10.16 million).

Remarkably, these paintings remained largely unknown for an extended period, having never been discussed in the extensive body of Rembrandt literature over the years. The Amsterdam-based Rijksmuseum has conducted an analysis of the portraits, further enhancing their significance. Henry Pettifer, the International Deputy Chairman of Old Master Paintings at Christie's, expressed his astonishment at their rarity. These exceptional works of art are among the highlights of Christie's "Old Masters Part I Sale" on July 6, which is part of their esteemed Classic Week.

Additionally, other remarkable pieces will be offered at the auction. These include "The Entombment of Christ," a panel painted by the Greek-born Spanish Renaissance artist El Greco, estimated to be worth between 6 million and 8 million pounds.

El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), or The Greek, is known for numerous paintings where malleable and elongated figures are lit from sources that can’t readily be discerned. Born and raised in Crete, El Greco was trained as a Greek icon painter (in a post-Byzantine style). At the time he painted on Crete, Venice controlled the island. He left for Venice at age twenty-six, where he worked in Titian’s workshop and was influenced by Tintoretto’s loose brushwork.

Also on auction a neoclassical sculpture of Helen of Troy by Antonio Canova, estimated to be valued between 2.5 million and 4 million pounds. Furthermore, an early work by the Italian early Renaissance painter Fra Angelico, titled "The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John the Baptist, and the Magdalen at the Foot of the Cross," is expected to be sold for an estimated amount ranging from 4 million to 6 million pounds.

In a separate sale titled "Bayreuth: A Connoisseur's Collection of English Silver and Gold Boxes" on July 7, a medallion commissioned by Queen Charlotte as a token of appreciation for friends who supported her during King George III's illness will be offered, with an estimated value ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds.

(Note: The currency conversion rate mentioned at the end remains the same: $1 = 0.7875 pounds)