The Hispanic Society Museum and Library in New York City is selling a significant portion of its European Old Master art collection. A total of 45 paintings are being offered in an online auction hosted by Christie's, with proceeds designated for the care of its existing collection and the acquisition of new works.
Among the pieces is a notable painting from the workshop of the Spanish Renaissance artist El Greco, which is expected to attract high bids. The museum stated the sale is part of a strategic effort to refine its collection and focus on its core mission.
Key Takeaways
- The Hispanic Society Museum and Library is deaccessioning 45 European Old Master paintings.
- The sale is managed by Christie's through an online auction concluding on October 17.
- A key highlight is "Saint Dominic in Prayer," from the workshop of El Greco, estimated to sell for over $150,000.
- Funds raised will support collection care and the acquisition of works more aligned with the museum's mission.
- The deaccessioning follows guidelines set by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).
Strategic Deaccessioning to Refine Collection
The Hispanic Society Museum and Library, founded in 1904, has initiated a major sale of artworks deemed outside the central focus of its collection. The institution's primary goal is to promote the study of Spanish and Portuguese languages, literature, and history. According to a press release, the 45 paintings were selected for deaccessioning as part of a plan to responsibly diversify its holdings.
This move allows the museum to direct resources toward maintaining its vast collection and acquiring new pieces that better reflect its specific cultural and historical mandate. The sale, conducted online by the renowned auction house Christie's, is described as a "special strategic deaccessioning sale."
The museum, located in Upper Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood, holds significant cultural artifacts, including a first-edition copy of Don Quixote and a world map from 1529. Its location is notable, as the area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a "Dominican Historic District," and the museum frequently hosts community-oriented events.
Understanding Deaccessioning
Deaccessioning is the formal process of removing an object from a museum's collection. It is a standard practice but is governed by strict ethical guidelines. Museums may deaccession works that are duplicates, damaged beyond repair, or no longer relevant to the institution's mission. The proceeds are typically restricted to funding the care of the remaining collection or acquiring new artworks.
Highlighting the Auction's Key Works
The collection of 45 works features a range of European art, primarily with religious and aristocratic themes. The selection spans several historical periods and schools, including the Spanish School of the late-16th and 17th centuries and the Central Italian School.
The El Greco Workshop Painting
The headline piece of the auction is "Saint Dominic in Prayer," a work originating from the workshop of Domenikos Theotokopoulos, widely known as El Greco. As a workshop piece, it was likely created by the artist's assistants under his direct supervision, a common practice during the Renaissance.
The painting was expected to achieve a price of more than $150,000. As of the latest reports, bidding had already surpassed this estimate, reaching $160,000, indicating strong market interest. This piece represents a significant opportunity for collectors of Spanish Renaissance art.
Auction Estimate: "Saint Dominic in Prayer" from El Greco's workshop was initially estimated to sell for over $150,000. Early bidding quickly exceeded this figure, reaching $160,000 before the auction's close.
Other Notable Lots
Beyond the El Greco workshop piece, the sale includes several other historically significant paintings. These artworks provide a glimpse into the styles and subjects popular among European aristocracy and religious institutions centuries ago.
- "Portrait of Emperor Charles V in an Armchair": This is a modern copy of a famous work by the Italian master Tiziano Vecellio, known as Titian. It showcases the enduring influence of Titian's portraiture.
- Portrait of Isabella of Portugal: Attributed to a follower of Titian, this undated portrait had a current bid of $9,500. It reflects the style and techniques of one of the era's most important artists.
- Religious Works: The auction also features a depiction of the Madonna and child after the style of Spanish painter Luis de Morales and a Hispano-Flemish rendering of Saint Sebastian.
- "El Columpio (The Swing)": A piece by the 20th-century Seville painter Clemente Del Camino y Parladé, offering a more modern example from the collection.
For those interested in viewing the works in person, the collection will be on display at Christie's headquarters in Manhattan's Rockefeller Center until October 15.
Adherence to Museum Standards
The decision to sell collection items is carefully regulated. The Hispanic Society's actions align with guidelines established by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the accrediting body for museums in the United States. The AAM permits the use of funds from deaccessioning for "direct care of the collection," which is one of the stated goals of this sale.
"The works were found to be outside of the museum’s core mission as it attempts to responsibly diversify its collection," the museum stated in its official press release regarding the sale.
Under AAM rules, museums can sell objects that are redundant, of poor quality, or no longer align with the institution's mission. The organization also notes that a need for deaccessioning can sometimes be a sign that a museum "has not been adequately supported for many years."
By reinvesting the proceeds into its collection, the Hispanic Society aims to strengthen its ability to preserve and present the cultural heritage of the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking worlds for future generations. The sale represents a strategic pivot, allowing the institution to refine its focus and ensure its long-term sustainability.