A rare Diego Velázquez portrait of Queen Isabel de Borbón, wife of Philip IV of Spain, is set to fetch a staggering $35 million at Sotheby's in New York on February 1, 2024. The painting, which has been absent from Spain's royal collection since Napoleon's invasion in 1808, is expected to set a new auction record for the 17th-century master.
The full-length portrait, created in the late 1620s, depicts the queen in a regal stance, adorned in a lavish gown and jewels. Velázquez, a master of Baroque portraiture, drew inspiration from the works of Rubens in crafting this captivating portrait.
The painting's provenance includes stints in the collections of renowned figures such as banker and book collector Henry Huth and a private family trust. Sotheby's has guaranteed the sale of the portrait, underscoring its exceptional value and rarity.
In a separate development, the space-sharing gallery collaboration Condo London is set to return for its sixth iteration, running from January 20 to February 17, 2024. The event, which pairs London galleries with their international counterparts, aims to foster cross-cultural exchange and promote emerging artists.
Founded in 2016, Condo has inspired similar initiatives in London, including London Gallery Weekend. Carlos/Ishikawa gallery, the project's founder-organizer, emphasizes Condo's unique approach, focusing on intimate gallery exchanges rather than large-scale exhibitions.
