Michelangelo Sketch of a Foot Sells for $27 Million at Auction
The incredibly rare work was recently discovered by Christie’s and identified as a study for the Sistine Chapel
A previously unknown study by Michelangelo set a record for the artist on Thursday after it sold at Christie’s for a staggering $27.2 million. The small, red chalk sketch of a man’s foot, identified as a Study for a foot of the Libyan Sibyl, sparked a 45-minute bidding war between buyers in the room, online, and on the phone. According to Christie’s, it’s the only unrecorded study for the Sistine Chapel ceiling to ever hit the auction block.
“In the 23-plus years I have been in the industry, I have been privileged to see many wonderful Old Masters moments, but today topped them all,” says Andrew Fletcher, Christie’s Global Head of Old Masters. “This was an exceptional piece with a wonderful story.”
The piece, believed to be one of approximately ten known drawings by the artist in private hands, was sold as part of the Christie’s Old Master and British Drawings sale. The previous record high sale for the artist was $24.3 million.