La Belle de Ferroniere, Louvre.

Many thanks to Sothebys for allowing us to use their photograph of the Hahn La Belle de Ferronierre. This is a rareopportunity to view and compare the images to each other.

La Belle de Ferronniere (left)

The subject of a book by John Brewer titled, "The American Leonardo", detailing the controversial nature of what may or may not be properly attributed to DaVinci.Oxford University Press, 2009.

The somewhat recent announcement of a new DaVinci (Oct. 2009)brings up some old arguments about attributions.Monday, Feb. 18, 1929

Footnote: Sotheby's will be auctioning the Hahn family La Belle de Ferronniere Thursday, Jan 28th, 2010 (Lot 181) and has been estimated in value between 300k and 500k. Recent evidencesuggests a later date for the painting based on physical evidence, although attributing the painting to a "follower of da Vinci". Typical of da Vinci's time and work, hepainted on a wood panel. The Hahn painting is on canvas, and while it seems unusual for a copy to command such a price, no doubt the historywritten about the proceedings in the early 20th century documented by Brewer in "The American Leonardo: A Tale of Obsession, Art and Money" (Oxford and New York2009)has had an effect. Perhaps there is still some value to leaving authentication somewhat open ended (even if it certainly cannot be attributed to da Vinci) and connected with the success of Brewer's book.

Another benefit of the Sotheby's auction, is an opportunity for interested persons to compare the da Vinci with the copy in color as printed in their catalog whileproviding some insight and perhaps an exoneration of Duveen's original contentions, despite what Americans may have perceived to be his snobbery, pompousness and regular use of hyperbole.

Update

Sotheby's reports that the Hahn La Belle was sold at auction for $1,538,500 USD, more than 3 times its estimated value. (Jan 28, 2010) As a point of comparison, a work by Van Dyck, a portrait of Nicholas Rockox, estimated to sell tosell between 1-1.5 million USD, sold for $1,538,500 USD.



National Post Article, October 13, 2009, by Chris Boutet