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Lost marble sculpture could fetch BRL 50 million at auction

A marble sculpture of Antonio Canova by Maria Madalena hopes to raise up to US$ 10 million (about R$ 50 million) when it goes to auction in July.

Described by the auction house Christie’s as the “lost masterpiece” of the Italian neoclassical sculptor, “Maddalena Giacente” was commissioned by the Earl of Liverpool, then British prime minister, and took three years to sculpt.

Depicting Mary Magdalene in a state of religious ecstasy, the sculpture was completed shortly before Canova’s death in 1822.

“This is one of the last works that Canova actually executed. It recently came to light after having been in collections in the 20th century, not recognized as a significant marble by Canova,” said Donald Johnston, International Head of Sculpture at Christie’s.

“It was one of the highlights of the Art Treasures exhibition in Manchester in 1857, and purchased by a gentleman. But there was a fire in his house, and the piece ended up going to auction in 1938. Because of this, the identity was lost and he was only referred to as a classic figure.”

The sculpture, on display at Christie’s in London this weekend, will tour New York and Hong Kong. It will go up for sale at auction on 7 July, with an estimated price of £5m to £8m ($6.6m to $10.6m).

“For me, facially, the sculpture is absolutely typical of Canova, but there are other signs as well,” Johnston said. “The way the feet and hands were made, the smooth curve in the fingers… It’s something very typical of Canova.”

Source: CNN Brasil

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