Painted by the High Renaissance master when he was no more than 20, Rest on the Flight to Egypt has been the desire of emperors, archdukes and art thieves in its over five centuries of history.
First documented in the home of a Venetian spice merchant at the start of the 17th century, it has adorned palaces in London, Brussels, Vienna and Paris.
Lately however, it’s been at Longleat House in Wiltshire, seat of the marquesses of Bath and the first safari park outside Africa, from which it was stolen and then recovered by an art sleuth.
Christie’s is putting it up with a reserve of between 15 and 25 million pounds on behalf of the last Marquess of Bath.
After it was stolen from Longleat in 1995 it was found seven years later without a frame at a London bus stop thanks to art sleuth Charles Hill, a former Scotland Yard detective.
It then carried a reward of 100,000 pounds, a pittance compared to the price it is expected to fetch July 2.
ANSA
