An unpublished drawing representing the first known nude by the painter Michelangelo, and whose value is estimated at 30 million euros, was unveiled this Thursday in Paris by Christie's before its auction on May 18.

"There are less than ten drawings by Michelangelo still in private hands," says Hélène Rihal, director of the old drawings department at Christie's, about this early work of the genius of the Italian Renaissance (1475-1564).

Dating from the end of the 15th century, this work has long "escaped the attention of specialists" and testifies to a "beautiful state of preservation", underlined the auction house.

Formerly attributed to “the school of Michelangelo”, experts now say the nude sketch is by the master's own hand.

It will be sold at @ChristiesInc Paris next month for estimated €30m https://t.co/f0Hd73FIkp

— The Art Newspaper (@TheArtNewspaper) April 6, 2022


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Declared a "national treasure"

The drawing made in pen and brown ink was put up for sale in 1907 at the Hôtel Drouot under the classification "Ecole de Michel-Ange", before being attributed to the master in 2019 only, within the framework of an inventory for a French private collection.

In September 2019, it was declared a "national treasure" for French heritage, which prohibits any exit from national territory for thirty months and gives the French State and its museums the opportunity to buy it back.

No offer having been made during this period, the drawing will be exhibited in Hong Kong and then in New York in order to arouse the interest of local and foreign collectors, between now and the auction.

Art lovers will also be able to admire it in Paris, from May 13.

This sketch, the size of an A4 sheet, seems to be inspired by a fresco by the painter Masaccio (

The Baptism of the Neophytes

) and illustrates the interest of Michelangelo, also a sculptor, for the representation of the male body.

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