Wednesday 12 November 2025

Lot 13

Follower of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Italian 1571-1610-  Martha and Mary Magdalene; 

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Lot 13

Follower of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 
Italian 1571-1610- 
Martha and Mary Magdalene; 

Starting Bid: £4,800

Estimate: £7,000 - £9,000

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Lot 13

Description

Follower of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 
Italian 1571-1610- 

Martha and Mary Magdalene; 

oil on canvas, 113.5 x 145.8 cm. 

Provenance: 
The collection of Robert de Balkany (1931-2015). 
His sale, Christie's, London, 22-23 March 2017, lot 49 (as 'Follower of Caravaggio'). 

Note: 
The present work relates closely to that in the Indiana University Art Museum [PI_0474/2/49] by Pietro Paolini (1603-1681), who was himself one of Caravaggio's close followers. Indeed, the composition ultimately derives, with variations, from Caravaggio's painting of the same title, conceived in c.1598, and housed in the Detroit Institute of Arts [73.268]. 

The painting shows Martha of Bethany and Mary Magdalene from the New Testament, long considered to have been sisters. Martha is in the act of converting Mary from her life of pleasure to the life of virtue in Christ. Martha, her face shadowed, leans forward, passionately arguing with Mary, who twirls an orange blossom between her fingers. The power of the image lies in Mary's face, caught at the moment when conversion begins. Mary wears red, the colour of the Magdalene, and a dress very similar to one Caravaggio employs in his 'Portrait of a Courtesan' (1597) and 'Saint Catherine' (1598). 

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Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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