Wednesday 12 November 2025
Follower of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Italian 1571-1610- Martha and Mary Magdalene;
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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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Fees & VAT
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.
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ARR is capped at £12,500
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