Record at auction for Michelangelo: study for the Sistine Chapel sold for 27.2 million

A previously unknown study by Michelangelo, prepared for the creation of the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel vault, has been sold by Christie’s for 27.2 million dollars, almost 20 times the low estimate.

This is a record for a work by Michelangelo at auction. The previous record was $24.3 million for another drawing, also set at Christie’s in Paris in 2022.

The drawing is the only undocumented study for the Sistine Chapel vault ever put up for auction and one of only 10 made by Michelangelo known to be in private hands. Of the approximately 600 sheets by Michelangelo that have survived to this day, this is one of approximately 50 studies relating to the Sistine Chapel.