About This Auction

Leading the auction are two superlative works by Jan van Huysum, the secretive genius known to his contemporaries as the ‘Phoenix of Flower Painters.’ Fruit and Flowers in a Wicker Basket (Estimate: £3,000,000-4,000,000) and Flowers in a Terracotta Vase (Estimate: £2,500,000-3,500,000) represent the pinnacle of the Dutch floral still-life tradition, uniting van Huysum’s incomparable handling of paint with compositions of extraordinary sophistication. Also featured are two remarkable drawings by William Blake from a distinguished private collection, alongside some of the finest vedute of the 18th century. The sale brings together masterpieces of exceptional quality and rarity drawn from five centuries of European painting. Notice for buyers wishing to import certain lots into the EU: Certain lots in this sale may be impacted by the new licensing requirements and regulations relating to the import of “cultural goods” into the EU (Regulation (EU) 2019/880 on the import of cultural property and its Implementing Regulation 2021/1079). We recommend clients check before bidding whether the lot they wish to bid on is subject to these regulations. Please contact Amélie d’Arenberg (aarenberg@christies.com) and see H2 of our Conditions of Sale for more information.