Dorotheum's Autumn Auction 2010 - will present old master paintings along with 19th century painting and antiques following their world record price of €7.02m for a Francken in April.
King David wears a golden crown in a painting by Guercino (King David presents a Letter to Uriah) that together with the matching David and Abigail represents two of the most important new discoveries of the old master auction. The two are available for €300,000-400,000.
The typical gold background of the Early Renaissance serves as a setting for Lippo d'Andrea's Virgin and Child. Graceful Egyptian Water Carriers in a sun-drenched Nile landscape mark one of the major works of Leopold Carl Müller, who specialised in Oriental scenes, and also mark this painting as the top lot of the 19th century category.
The women in the painting are not only seen to wear their heavy water vessels but delicate gold jewellery as well.
 Leopold Carl Muller's Egyptian water-carriers |
Unlike many, the artist had little time for the ancient remains of the Pharaonic period. In an 1876 letter, he writes: "What interests me most about Egypt are the folk customs that manifest themselves outside, in God's great nature, the bustle of the markets, the customs observed in cemeteries, villages, and the desert life." The work is listed at €350,000-450,000.
The Prodigal Son in the Tavern among Whores is an allusive masterpiece by Jan Sanders van Hemessen (1500 - after 1563). Two scenes in the background offers further insights into the oil on wood painting from a traditional Swiss private collection.
 Hemessen's The Prodigal Son in the Tavern among Whores |
Hemessen's genre paintings with their moralising message made him one of the foremost proponent of large-scale figure painting and a pioneer of 17th century Flemish genre painting and the work is estimated at €180,000-220,000 and could provide a fine investment.
In the antiques category, a Chandelier with Dolphins by grand master André Charles Boulle outshines everything else. Made of gilt bronze, this chandelier by the famous, Ebeniste, Ciseler et Doreur du Roi" is one of only four known copies featuring eight arms.
 Rare bronze Chandelier by Boulle (Click to enlarge) |
The other three are currently in the Louvre, the J Paul Getty Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the impressive piece is listed with 'estimate on request'. The sale takes place from October 12 to 14 in Vienna.
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