Five Centuries of European Masterpieces Gather in London – Christie’s Major Old Masters Auction

The leading lot of the sale is a portrait of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, painted by the renowned British portrait artist Sir Thomas Lawrence, carrying an estimate of £8,000,000–12,000,000.

The Duke of Wellington was not only the legendary military commander who defeated Napoleon, but also one of the most influential political figures in nineteenth-century Britain. What makes this work particularly significant is that, according to historical accounts, the Duke himself considered it to be the most successful and faithful likeness ever made of him. Lawrence was celebrated throughout Europe for his elegant brushwork and exceptional ability to capture character. This painting is not merely an outstanding portrait; it is also an important testament to Britain's age of glory and historical achievement. For institutional collectors, top-tier portraits possessing both artistic and historical significance rarely appear on the public market today.

If Lawrence represents the pinnacle of British portraiture, then Jan van Huysum, one of the greatest floral still-life painters of the Dutch Golden Age, represents the highest achievement of European flower painting. The sale presents two of his masterpieces: Fruit and Flowers in a Wicker Basket (Estimate: £3,000,000–4,000,000); Flowers in a Terracotta Vase (Estimate: £2,500,000–3,500,000).

Eighteenth-century collectors praised van Huysum as the “Phoenix of Flower Painters.” He worked in an almost secretive manner and was known to refuse fellow artists access to his studio to observe his techniques. In these works, viewers can appreciate extraordinarily delicate rendering of flower petals, botanical depictions approaching the precision of scientific observation, sophisticated and highly refined compositions, and a remarkable mastery of light and transparency. Together, these qualities represent one of the greatest achievements of the Dutch still-life tradition. For collectors focused on the European classical art market, high-quality works by van Huysum remain exceptionally scarce and continue to be highly sought after by leading museums and private collectors around the world.

The auction will also feature two rare works on paper from an important private collection by the legendary British artist and poet William Blake. Blake embodied multiple identities as a poet, printmaker, artist, and mystical thinker. His work profoundly influenced later movements including Symbolism, Surrealism, and Modernism. Because works on paper serve as important vehicles for studying Blake’s artistic ideas and creative vision, high-quality examples circulating on the market are extremely limited and highly prized by collectors.

Another highlight of the sale is a group of outstanding eighteenth-century vedute (city views). During the era of the Grand Tour, vedute were highly favored by European aristocrats. These works are not only landscapes, but also important visual records of elite travel culture and urban memory. From the canals of Venice to historic cities across Europe, these paintings showcase some of the most magnificent urban landscapes of the Enlightenment era.

From a collecting perspective, this auction possesses three notable characteristics:

1. A Concentration of Museum-Quality Works
Whether Lawrence’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington or van Huysum’s floral still lifes, these works belong to the most representative categories within each artist’s oeuvre rather than ordinary market offerings.

2. Exceptional Rarity
Most works by Old Masters of this caliber have already entered national museums, historic family collections, or major private collections. Opportunities to acquire such works at public auction have become increasingly rare.

3. Combined Historical and Artistic Value
Compared with certain sectors of the contemporary art market, Old Master paintings possess a more clearly established place in art history and a stronger scholarly foundation. Their value is built upon centuries of cultural recognition and consensus.

At the same time, this also suggests that the market value of such works tends to experience relatively stable fluctuations within the collecting market.

For collectors who appreciate European classical art, every work in this auction bears witness to important chapters in the development of European civilization and artistic achievement. OGP has prepared the catalogue for this sale to assist collectors and enthusiasts in further study and research. Whether for collecting, investment, or art education, it serves as a valuable reference resource.