5-Inch Michelangelo Sketch Set to Break Records at Auction

A 5-inch chalk drawing of a foot, attributed to the renowned artist Michelangelo, is expected to fetch at least $2 million at auction. Christie’s auction house has linked this artwork to the iconic ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The sketch, believed to depict the foot of a male model who posed for one of Michelangelo’s figures, is set to be auctioned in February 2024.

The drawing currently belongs to an anonymous seller from Northern California. Christie’s announced that this piece could become the most expensive drawing of a foot ever sold, highlighting its significance in the art world. According to a press release from Christie’s, “No recorded study for the Sistine Chapel has ever come to auction—until now.”

Uncovering the Sketch’s History

The sketch is thought to date back to 1511 and was intended for a figure known as the Libyan Sibyl, located at the east end of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. The owner inherited the drawing from his grandmother in 2002 and stated that it has been in his family since at least the late 1700s. He is a direct descendant of Armand Francois Louis de Mestral de Saint-Saphorin, an esteemed 18th-century Swiss diplomat and collector of old master drawings.

Giada Damen, a specialist in Christie’s Old Master Drawings Department, expressed her excitement upon seeing the sketch. “Standing in front of this drawing, one can grasp the full power of Michelangelo’s creative force,” Damen stated. She noted that the artwork appeared to be a genuine 16th-century piece, despite not being signed by the artist.

Damen traveled to California to examine the drawing more closely and to persuade the owner to allow Christie’s to conduct authenticity tests. “Expensive drawings are very controversial. I needed to do my work. It could still be a good copy,” she remarked.

Authenticating the Artwork

Laboratory tests at Christie’s New York offices confirmed that the drawing paper matched other examples from the 16th century. Analysts were able to connect it to another sheet of studies by Michelangelo for the same figure, which is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In November, the sketch was displayed in a private viewing room at Christie’s London office. When illuminated from below, a black chalk outline became visible, suggesting it was associated with another drawing for a different figure on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. According to Andrew Fletcher, the global head of the Old Master’s department at Christie’s, this sketch is one of only two Michelangelo drawings for the Sistine ceiling still in private hands.

Throughout his lifetime, Michelangelo produced thousands of drawings, yet only around 600 have survived. In a letter dated 1518, he ordered his assistant to destroy all drawings from his home in Rome, where he worked on the Sistine Chapel. This historical context makes the discovery of the Northern California sketch particularly remarkable.

As the auction date approaches, interest in the drawing continues to grow. With its connection to one of the most celebrated artists in history and its potential record-breaking price, this small yet significant artwork is poised to capture the attention of collectors and art enthusiasts alike.