A drawing by Renaissance artist Hans Baldung, valued at over 1.5 million euros, is up for auction in Paris

Paris, March 21 (EFE). - A one-of-a-kind drawing valued between 1.5 and 3 million euros by Renaissance master Hans Baldung Grien (1484/1485–1545), a disciple of Dürer, will go up for auction this Monday at the Hôtel Drouot in Paris after having remained in the same family for 500 years.

CAEMRA: POL LLOBERAS CARDONA.

FOOTAGE OF THE HÔTEL DROUOT AND STATEMENTS BY AUCTIONEER ARTHUR DE MORAS AND ANTIQUE DRAWING EXPERT PATRICK DE BAYSER.

TRANSLATION:

PATRICK DE BAYSER:

1. “It is one of the few German Renaissance drawings to have appeared in France. In fact, in my opinion, it is the only one to have done so in the last thirty years.”

2. “It is an emblematic example of that German Renaissance, less well known in France than the Italian Renaissance, but which is extraordinary. It is by... Dürer’s most outstanding pupil, who would go on to develop an extremely independent and tempestuous personality.”

3. “It is, without a doubt, the preparatory drawing for a lost portrait.”

4. “So it is possible that there was a portrait, and perhaps even a portrait of her husband. But its existence has not been proven, so it is only a supposition.”

ARTHUR DE MORAS:

1. “Drawings by Hans Baldung Grien are extremely rare on the market; they are practically never seen.”

2. “It has emerged from obscurity; sellers were unaware of its value because they didn't know who the artist was.”

3. “This drawing has remained within the same family for just over five centuries, spanning 17 generations.”

4. “In recent years, it has been kept in a small wooden cabinet, and indeed, it was rediscovered following an inheritance.”

5. “It is very unusual; in fact, we never see anything like this—it’s something never before seen.”