The art world has seen a big news about the record auction value of Leonardo da Vinci’s tiny sketch of a bear. The renaissance artist’s drawing sold for over $12 million on Thursday. Earlier, it was expected to sell for around $16.82 million, but it settled for lesser than that.
It is a notable artistic work by the renowned artist to date. Although it is a tiny sketch, it enjoys an enormous value in the art world. The sketch measures less than 8 square inches, but it carries a huge value.
As per Christie’s viewpoint, the tiny sketch is one of the eight Leonardo drawings remaining in private hands. Christie is the auction house behind the sale. The tiny sketch of a bear is created using the technique taught to Leonardo by his teacher, Andrea del Verrocchio.
The technique involves treating paper chemically with silver rods. And the making of the drawing is on pale pink-beige with the use of silverpoint.
Undergoes Change of Hands Several Times
Over the centuries, the drawing has seen the change of hands many times. First, Christie sold it for £2.50 ($430 in today’s time) in 1860. Known as “Head of a Bear,” it has enjoyed its placement at many reputed institutions.
The institutions include The National Gallery in London, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum. While addressing the press after the sale of the drawing on Thursday, the International head of Christie’s Old Master drawing department, Stijn Alsteens, expressed his views about the drawing.
He called the artistic work “small but magnificent.” Besides, he called it one of the creative drawings ever created by Leonardo da Vinci. The creative drawing of the renaissance artist has Leonardo Da Vinci’s signature.
And it previously had owners, namely, painter Sir Thomas Lawrence and art collector Captain Norman Robert Colville.
Set a New Auction Record
Leonardo da Vinci is mainly recognized for oil paintings revolving around nature. However, his previous works include the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.” Besides, he has also made his name for creating anatomical sketches.
“The Vitruvian Man,” a drawing representing a nude male, is one of his favorite creations to date. Previously, the auction record bestowed on “Horse and Rider,” with its sale value of more than $11.2 million in 2001.
Leonardo has created many drawings about the natural world, including animal sketches. Moreover, the renaissance artist also depicted religious figures and biblical scenes in his lifetime.
