An incredibly rare illustration by the great Flemish master portraitist, Anthony Van Dyck, will headline a Christie's New York auction next year. The drawing is estimated to sell around $800,000 to $1.2 million, and if sold within the estimate, this singular transaction will break the previous sale record for a Van Dyck piece.
This particular drawing, entitled "Portrait of Willem Hondius," is set to place at one of the lots of the auction house's "Old Master and British Drawings Sale" taking place on February 1.
Christie's is aiming to exceed the reigning record for a Van Dyck sale which saw another of the artist's rare drawings fetch £585,000, or roughly about $800,000, in a 1985 auction. One other Van Dyck illustration was sold in 2019, raking in £212,500, or $269,490, and going beyond its initial valuation.
A Christie's Old Master Drawings Department representative, Stijn Alsteens, explained to Artnews that the illustration, dated around the 17th century, was drawn by Van Dyck himself to be used in the production of engravings and prints.
The portrait itself was part of his ambitious "Iconography" series which featured renowned and acclaimed creatives of the time. This project consequently gave Van Dyck his legendary notoriety as a portraitist.
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How Van Dyck's 'Portrait of Willem Hondius' Found its Way to Christie's
Although the print version is quite known to the public, Alsteens shared that the original drawing by Van Dyck only resurfaced recently when the auction house representative was notified by the owner who was bequeathed the piece.
Alsteens said that he initially harbored skepticism about the information given to him, saying, "I think mainly because it looks too good to be true." However, the initial uncertainty disappeared when he laid eyes upon the piece in person.
"I was just incredibly happy to see a drawing of this quality and rarity in my hands," he added.
As per the auction house, the Van Dyck drawing was originally procured by a renowned Swedish artist based in 18th-century Paris. Specifically, it was showcased in a 1779 exhibition of the artist's collection. Over time, the piece was returned to Sweden where it had been bought by the current owner's predecessor for quite a measly sum.
All in all, there are 40 to 50 known Van Dyck drawings currently held by varying collecting institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Getty Museum in LA, and the British Museum. All but one is privately owned, the "Portrait of Willem Hondius."
