Michelangelo sketch fetches 5.9 million

AN EARLY drawing by Michelangelo, which went unrecognised for generations in a scrapbook at Castle Howard, sold for 5.9 million at a Sotheby's auction in London today.

The drawing was bought, for just under the estimate of 6 million to 8 million, by London dealer Colnaghi for its stock. "It is a fabulous drawing," said Colnaghi director Luca Baroni.

The monumental drawing of a mourning woman in pen and brown ink, which has been dated to the 1490s, is one of only a handful of drawings by the Renaissance master to remain in private hands.

The Mourning Woman bears the collector's mark of 18th century English artist Jonathan Richardson Senior. It was almost certainly purchased at the Richardson sale in 1747 by Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle.

The drawing's identity was discovered when the album was brought to Sotheby's during a routine valuation.

Of the drawing's future, Mr Baroni said: "I don't think any institution in Britain will be interested in this drawing at this price. It will probably go abroad."

By Susan Moore, Arts Sales Correspondent Michelangelo sketch fetches 5.9 million Mourning Woman: destined to be sold abroad AN EARLY drawing by Michelangelo, which went unrecognised for generations in a scrapbook at Castle Howard, sold for 5.9 million at a Sotheby's auction in London today.

The drawing was bought, for just under the estimate of 6 million to 8 million, by London dealer Colnaghi for its stock. "It is a fabulous drawing," said Colnaghi director Luca Baroni.

The monumental drawing of a mourning woman in pen and brown ink, which has been dated to the 1490s, is one of only a handful of drawings by the Renaissance master to remain in private hands.

The Mourning Woman bears the collector's mark of 18th century English artist Jonathan Richardson Senior. It was almost certainly purchased at the Richardson sale in 1747 by Henry Howard, 4th Earl of Carlisle.

The drawing's identity was discovered when the album was brought to Sotheby's during a routine valuation.

Of the drawing's future, Mr Baroni said: "I don't think any institution in Britain will be interested in this drawing at this price. It will probably go abroad."

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