A Twice-Stolen Titian Expected To Break Personal Sale Record In July

The Rest on the Flight into Egypt’s whereabouts have been thoroughly documented, for the most part, throughout the years. Originally appearing alongside works of Bellini, Giorgione, Tintoretto, and Veronese in the collection of Venetian arts patron and spice merchant, Bartolomeo della Nave, the painting would soon fall into the hands of the Habsburgs. 

Though Titan was primarily working for Phillip II of Spain during the final years of his life, the early work landed with the king’s nephew, Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria. From there, it would travel to Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, before it was left to his daughter, Maria Theresa— Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia— followed by her son, Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II. The painting would then be looted by French troops for the Musée Napoléon, now referred to as the Louvre.

The last time the two-foot Titian sold (in 1878), it was acquired by an art dealer who then re-sold it to the fourth Marquess of Bath, John Alexander Thynne. It would hang in the Thynne’s family home, Longleat House in Wiltshire, until it was taken from the property in 1995. Apparently, the 7th Marquess of Bath had been watching television in another section of the house when the art theft took place. He told reporters, “It is most sad that it has been taken from under one’s nose.” 

From there, it would be up to renowned art detective Charles Hill to find the £5 million painting’s location. However, it wasn’t until seven years later when Hill would strike up a deal to exchange the painting— which was left at a bus stop, rolled up in a shopping bag— for a £100,000 reward. 

Besides the work by Titian, Christie’s Old Masters sale will also feature a portrait of Queen Elizabeth by George Gower, a late Frans Hals, and the recently restored The Madonna of the Cherries, by Quentin Metsys. This is also expected to break Metsys’ personal sale record.