A Rare Painting By Aivazovsky At Bonhams In Paris
A European Collection including a portrait by Largillière A collection of paintings by Ary Scheffer and Henry Scheffer
Paris – View of Capri, a stunning oil on canvas dated 1889 by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky (1817-1900) will be one of the highlights of the Old Master Paintings sale at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr on 21 April 2026.
“Ivan Aivazovsky occupies a distinguished place in art history as the first Russian marine painter and as one of the most significant European masters of the genre” says Daria Khristova, Director of the Russian department at Bonhams. “His childhood spent by the sea decisively shaped the artistic path of Ivan Aivazovsky, who became an outstanding interpreter of maritime subjects and widely regarded as the pre-eminent master of seascapes.”
In View of Capri, presented with an estimate of €250,000–350,000, depicts the Mediterranean stretching seamlessly to the horizon. The gentle ripple of the clear, radiant blue water evokes the serenity of a sun-drenched southern day on the island of Capri. Aivazovsky’s confident mastery of aerial perspective, paired with his refined handling of light and shadow, produces a vivid impression of depth and boundless space. The tiny figures placed along the shore serve as a compositional accent, emphasizing the immense scale and majesty of the seascape.
The painting’s palette showcases the artist’s remarkable technical skill. Soft gradations move from pure sky blues to subtle, pearly tones near the coastline, lending the composition a harmonious unity. The vast sky, occupying much of the canvas, transitions almost imperceptibly from cool blues overhead to warmer golden hues at the horizon. The entire scene feels infused with light and the crisp freshness of sea air — a fleeting natural atmosphere that Aivazovsky captured with exceptional sensitivity. In this work, he demonstrates an extraordinary ability to render delicate variations of light and mood, conveying the tranquil stillness of a languid Italian day.
A selection of Russian paintings will be also offered at auction including a portrait of the Poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin by Johann Frankenberger (Austrian, 1807-1874) signed and dated ‘1835’ (estimate: €6,000-8,000).
Stefania Lumetta, Specialist for Old Master Paintings and 19th Century Art at Bonhams Paris, said: “For our forthcoming sale of Old Master and 19th-century paintings, we are delighted to offer an exceptional collection of works, drawings, and paintings –including several previously unseen pieces – drawn from a variety of private European collections and spanning all the major European schools, from the Spanish Middle Ages to the French 19th century. This auction will notably feature a beautiful group of Orientalist paintings, as well as a remarkable selection of Russian works, including a masterpiece by Aivazovsky.”
A collection of paintings by Ary Scheffer (1795-1858) and Henry Scheffer (1798-1862) is offered at auction including La veuve du soldat oil on canvas by Ary Scheffer (estimate: €3,000-5,000). Scheffer produced a number of copies of this popular composition; the prime version was shown at the Salon in 1822. An engraving by Alexis Francois Girard was produced in 1824.
Other highlights of the sale include:
The masterful rendering of the interior of Antwerp Cathedral by Pieter Neefs the Elder (Anvers 1578-1656) exemplifies the artist’s unrivalled command of architectural perspective and atmospheric light (estimate: €30,000-50,000). This refined composition on panel is characteristic of Neefs’ mature period, when his depictions of Antwerp Cathedral reached a level of compositional harmony and optical sophistication that secured his reputation across Europe. The present painting also boasts a distinguished provenance, having once formed part of the collection of Sir Bruce Ingram, the influential British editor and noted patron of the arts, whose discerning eye helped shape several eminent collections in the early 20th century.
Nicolas de Largillière (Paris 1656-1746), along with his contemporary Hyacinthe Rigaud, epitomized French portraiture in the Grand Siècle. While the latter dedicated himself to a royal clientele, Largillière catered to the demands of the growing numbers of high bourgeoisie, financiers and politicians. From an important European collection, this portrait of Marguerite de Sève painted in 1726 is testament to the artist’s virtuoso rendering of fabrics and attention to their minutest of details. Through both surrounding and dress, Largillière impressed upon the viewer his sitter’s high social status and wealth (estimate: €25,000-30,000).
Also included in the sale, The Battle of the Pons Milvius pitted Constantine against his rival Maxentius, marking the latter’s defeat (shown on the right as he is about to drown in the Tiber) and the victory of Christianity over the pagan world. The scene is set with topographical precision to the north of Rome, with the inclusion of Monte Mario and the construction site of Villa Madama (built by Raphael in those same years) on the left, and the reliefs of Saxa Rubra in the background. The initial design of this composition, like that of the Vision that precedes it, is certainly the work of Raphael, but the painting was materially executed by his pupil Giulio Romano, who completed it after the former’s death.This large unlined oil on canvas by a follower of Giulio Romano, early 17th century is estimated between €40,000 and 60,000.
The life and work of Sebastian Vrancx (1573-1647) were strongly influenced by the Eighty Years’ War, which began five years before the artist’s birth and ended a year after his death. The painter owes his fame to his numerous depictions of battles, and can be considered the founder of the military genre in the Netherlands. His detailed compositions can be assumed to be based on personal experience, as Vrancx pursued a military career alongside his life as an artist. The present painting entitled Combat de cavaliers dans un village flamand, inscribed and dated ‘Ca 1625’ bears the hallmarks of the artist’s late style, with as much emphasis on the varied aspects of the landscape as on the swarming figures in the foreground. Although this clash between cavalry and militia does not represent a specific battle, Vrancx takes care to capture the essence of a skirmish; the hectic scene conveys the full force of the conflict. The artist’s attention to the soldiers’ costumes and weapons is also evident (estimate: €30,000-50,000).
From a private collection in Spain, two views of Venice by Martin Rico Y Ortega (1833-1908) will be offered, as a testimony of the long tradition of Venetian vedute—made famous during the Grand Tour by painters such as Canaletto and Francesco Guardi. Rico’s own tour of Italy in 1872 with Mariano Fortuny (1838–1874) proved decisive: captivated by Venice’s light and architecture, he returned every summer, often working from a gondola to sketch buildings directly from the water. This period shaped Martín Rico’s mature style and secured his success as a leading painter of Venetian subjects (Estimate each: €30,000-50,000).
From the Jacques Seligmann Collection, a painting of Narcisse by Charles Emile Auguste Carolus-Duran (1837-1917) has been executed in Roma in 1862. Carolus-Duran was a celebrated figure in the world of Parisian art and theatre. Known primarily for his elegant society portraits, he was also highly influential as a teacher. His studio attracted students drawn by the artist’s non-traditional, anti-Gérôme teaching methods, including the young John Singer Sargent, who would later go on to paint a striking portrait of his teacher (estimate: €25,000-35,000).
A selection of drawings including APortrait of the artist’s mother, Marie Serre by Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743). This is a preparatory black and white chalk on bleu paper drawing for an engraving. It comes from a private collection and has never been seen on the market before (estimate: €3,000-5,000).
