A Venus by Lucas Cranach the Younger from the Former Demidoff Collection
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An imminent return in situ for a Venus by Cranach the Younger with the princely pedigree of Anatole Demidoff, which was first sold at the Hôtel Drouot 159 years ago. Lucas Cranach the Younger (1515-1586), Venus and Cupid Stealing Honey, oil on reinforced panel, 51 x 35 cm (20 x 13.8 in). Estimation: 1/1.5 M€ The auctioneer Charles Pillet and the expert Ferdinand Laneuville auctioned off "one of the most famous galleries in Europe" at the Hôtel Drouot in 1863—the name of the owner was an open secret. Lord Herford spent 110,550 francs and the Duke of Galleria 36,910, but they were
