Rare Sketches by Sir Anthony van Dyck Offered at Sotheby’s

Sir Anthony van Dyck was a well-known court painter and Baroque artist. The son of a Belgian silk merchant, he developed an early interest in painting. He became a teacher at 19 years old and worked in Antwerp. Van Dyck also trained and collaborated with Peter Paul Rubens, another influential Baroque artist. The upcoming Sotheby’s auction will present rare sketches by Sir Anthony van Dyck. Featured is a chalk figure study for his famous artwork The Healing of the Paralytic, composed between 1617 and 1620. The preliminary figure study features an old bearded man with a bundle under his arm and various composition studies on the reverse side. The non-sculptural and calligraphic style of van Dyck’s magnified drawings is visible, as is the influence of Sir Peter Paul Rubens. 

Another highlight of the sale is a watercolor painting titled Lake Lucerne at Dusk by English watercolorist Joseph Mallord William Turner. The painting portrays the beauty of Lake Lucerne through expressive colors and light effects, showcasing atmospheric changes. The piece draws attention to Turner’s signature angular brushstrokes and scratching techniques. 

Also showcased is Thomas Gainsborough’s Wooded Landscapes, which shows the artist’s skillful appreciation of pastoral scenes. The auction will offer Italian artworks by Giulio Romano and Francesco Guardi, a watercolor river landscape by Hendrick Avercamp, and works from the Italo-Flemish School. Interested collectors can explore the full listings and register to bid online on Sotheby’s.