a drawing discovered by chance was sold at auction for more than 148,000 euros

2024-10-09 06:39:00

Found by chance during an inventory in an apartment in Reims, a drawing by the Dutch painter David Vinckboons was sold at auction for 148,840 euros. A record sum for a work by the Dutch painter.

A discovery worth its weight in gold. According to the local newspaper The Ardennesa drawing by the Dutch painter David Vinckboons, discovered by chance in an apartment in Reims, was sold at auction this Sunday 6 October for 148,840 euros. A record sum for a work by this artist.

Created in 1623 in pen and brown ink with gray and brown watercolor over a black chalk sketch, this rare drawing, titled Jacob Meets Rachel at the Well, was found in an apartment in central Reims during an inventory before a move.

Painted in 1623 by Dutch painter David Vinckboons, this drawing sold for 148,840 euros during an auction in Reims on October 6, 2024. © Groupe Ivoire Reims

According to auctioneer Séverine Luneau, responsible for the inventory, the family had no idea of ​​the value of this work at the time of discovery and thought it was a simple engraving.

“It was presented to me as an engraving, only such an engraving is worth 30 euros and not 150,000. And if we can help with the discovery, that’s great,” the auctioneer rejoiced France Bleu Champagne-Ardenne.

Originally estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 euros

David Vinckboons’ drawing was then sent to a company in Paris to finalize the appraisal. Initially estimated at between 10,000 and 15,000 euros, it was eventually sold for ten times more. A price that can be explained, according to Louis de Bayser, responsible for the appraisal, by the state of the work and its importance.

“The drawing is a completely finished work, monogrammed and dated, which shows the importance that the artist attributed to it. Furthermore, the wash is contrasted, in excellent condition, the light is beautiful, which makes it very readable and was able to make its owners believe that it was an engraving”, specifies the expert a press release.

In the end it was a foreign collector who won the auction at the end of a “very good auction” indicates Séverine Luneau “It’s a nice surprise. It’s great for the sellers, for Reims and for us, because making discoveries is what motivates us deeply,” he concludes.