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Rare Gentileschi Self-Portrait, Valued at $3.5M, to Hit Auction Block
24 Jan
Summary
- A rare self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi will be auctioned next month.
- The painting is expected to fetch up to $3.5 million.
- Gentileschi was a prominent female artist in 17th-century Europe.
A significant self-portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi, an Italian Old Master painter, will be auctioned by Christie's on February 4, 2026. Painted when Gentileschi was only 20 years old, the artwork is expected to achieve a price of up to $3.5 million. This rare piece depicts the artist as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a subject she revisited in another painting now housed at the National Gallery in London.
Gentileschi's life and career were remarkable for the 17th century, a period when women artists faced significant barriers. Trained by her father, Orazio Gentileschi, she worked in the style of Caravaggio. Her assertion of independence and artistic prowess led her to establish a studio in Florence, becoming the first female member of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno in 1616.
Despite her achievements, Gentileschi's work was often overlooked or misattributed for centuries. Her recognition grew significantly from the 1970s onwards, particularly after the MeToo movement, highlighting her as a proto-feminist icon, especially through works like 'Judith Beheading Holofernes.' A major exhibition at the National Gallery in 2020 further boosted her profile.
The self-portrait will be on public view at Christie's Rockefeller Center Galleries from January 29, 2026, leading up to the auction.
