In Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), a work of art found in an attic last year was sold for 2.8 million euros on Friday February 4.
The work in question is a master painting dating from the 16th century. Signed by the German painter Bernhard Strigel (1460-1528), this painting belonged to a Toulouse family for several generations.
The owners were aware that this work had value, but they had no idea of the exceptional nature of their possession. Following an inventory for an insurance company during the summer of 2021, they asked for an estimate.
Pauline Maringe, auctioneer of the Artpaugée auction house, initially thought it was a copy. Baptized “The Thuriferous Angel dressed in a yellow tunic”, this work of art was finally estimated between 600,000 and 800,000 euros.
At auction, bids then quickly surpassed the estimate, reaching 2.8 million euros. Even if the buyer did not wish to reveal his identity, it would be an institution or a museum, according to Pauline Maringe.
This canvas would be part of a set of paintings, the other part of which represents an angel dressed in a purple robe and has belonged to the Louvre Abu Dhabi since 2009. Perhaps a clue to the identity of the buyer…