Stolen Titian Masterpiece Rediscovered In Plastic Bag, Sold For £17.5 Million

A painting by the renowned Venetian master Titian, which was found in a plastic bag years after being stolen, recently sold for an astounding £17.5 million at a London auction house, Christie's. The painting, titled "Rest On The Flight Into Egypt," was created in 1510 when Titian was only 20 years old. This sale marks a new world auction record for the artist, according to the auctioneers.

A Storied History

The painting has an extraordinary history, having been stolen from the drawing room of Longleat House in Wiltshire in 1995. Seven years later, it was discovered in London, devoid of its frame, inside a plastic carrier bag. Lord Bath, who inherited the Longleat estate in 2020, acknowledged the painting's remarkable journey, noting its significance and the strategic decision to sell it amid a strong market for rare artworks.

Artistic Significance

"Rest On The Flight Into Egypt" is a 2-foot wide painting on a wooden panel, depicting Mary holding Jesus with Joseph looking on. Over the centuries, it has passed through the hands of many notable owners, including Austrian Emperor Joseph II and the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. The painting was also looted by French troops in 1809 for the Napoleon Museum, before later being acquired by a Scottish landowner and subsequently bought by the fourth Marquess of Bath in 1878 at a Christie's auction, as reported by the BBC.

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Recovery and Auction

The painting was recovered in 2002 by former Scotland Yard detective Charles Hill, who had also helped recover Edvard Munch's "The Scream" after its theft in 1994. Hill's efforts, supported by a £100,000 reward for information, brought the Titian masterpiece back to the art world.

Expert Opinions

Andrew Fletcher, Christie's global head of the Old Masters Department, described the painting as the most important work by Titian to appear on the auction market in over a generation. He highlighted the painting as a prime example of Titian's innovative use of colour and his skill in depicting the human form within natural settings.

Fletcher emphasised that the painting secured Titian's place among the greatest painters in Western art history. The auction estimate for the painting ranged between £15 million and £20 million, representing its immense value and historical significance.

The sale of Titian's "Rest On The Flight Into Egypt" not only highlights the enduring appeal and value of masterpieces from the Renaissance period but also represents the intricate histories that many artworks carry. The painting's rediscovery and subsequent auction set a new benchmark for Titian's works, celebrating the artist's legacy and the dedicated efforts of those who work to preserve and recover stolen art.