Introduction

Dorotheum, the prominent European auction house headquartered in Vienna, has made a remarkable revelation ahead of its upcoming Old Masters auction next month. The auction house has unveiled a drawing that has recently been attributed to the Renaissance master Raphael, also known as Raffaello Sanzio. This rediscovered artwork promises to be a significant highlight in the world of art.

A Closer Look at the Drawing

The drawing in question, executed in red chalk on paper, serves as a preliminary study for a fresco found in one of the four rooms that Raphael and his workshop were responsible for completing at the Vatican. This monumental project was initiated around 1508 to 1509 under the commission of Pope Julius II, who passed away in 1513. At the time of his death, only two of the rooms had been completed, with Pope Julius II’s successor, Pope Leo X, continuing the ambitious program.

Study for ‘The Battle of the Milvian Bridge’

The drawing features a striking depiction of a man riding a horse, serving as a study for the fresco titled ‘The Battle of the Milvian Bridge’ (1520–24). This fresco was ultimately painted in the Hall of Constantine at the Vatican. In the final composition, the man on horseback is situated to the right, facing a horse-mounted Constantine, with a group of angels gathered above.

Raphael’s Profound Influence

The Hall of Constantine, which houses ‘The Battle of the Milvian Bridge,’ showcases various scenes from the life of the Roman Emperor Constantine. These scenes symbolize the triumph of Christianity over paganism, emphasizing the Emperor’s role in legalizing Christianity and convening the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

A Rare and Significant Discovery

What makes this drawing even more extraordinary is that it is one of only three surviving preparatory drawings for ‘The Battle of the Milvian Bridge’ fresco. The other two are housed in prestigious institutions—the Louvre in Paris and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England. This recent attribution to Raphael, after previously being attributed to 17th-century Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, adds to its allure.

Auction Estimate and Expert Opinion

The drawing is estimated to fetch a substantial sum, with an estimated value ranging from €400,000 to €600,000 ($422,000–$633,000). Mark MacDonnell, Dorotheum’s Old Master specialist, expressed the significance of this discovery, stating, “Compositional and stylistic details confirm that this is a preparatory study by Raphael for the celebrated fresco. It has an energy, a verve, a movement, and a quality which make this sheet an outstanding rarity.”

Art enthusiasts and collectors eagerly await the Dorotheum’s Old Masters auction, where this remarkable Raphael drawing is poised to make waves in the art world.

Feature Image: Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael, Study for the Battle of the Milvian Bridge: a rider on horseback and a horse’s head and eye, ca. 1520.COURTESY: DOROTHEUM

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