What is the 15th Century triptych depicting Christ's miracles?

It is a rare, surviving artwork from an unknown Brussels painter, illustrating five miracles of Christ, and has been housed in Sherborne, Dorset for over 500 years.

How much did the Almshouse painting sell for?

The 15th-century triptych sold for over £5.7 million at auction, significantly exceeding its initial valuation.

Who bought the rare triptych and why?

A Christian charitable foundation purchased the artwork for over £5.7 million, intending to keep it on public display. The proceeds will support St John's Almshouse's mission to provide accommodation.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Rare Christ Triptych Fetches Over £5.7M

Rare Christ Triptych Fetches Over £5.7M

4 Dec

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Summary

A 15th-century painting of Christ's miracles sold for over £5.7 million.
The buyer is a Christian charitable foundation intending public display.
Proceeds will fund new accommodation and ensure charity's stability.

A 15th-century masterpiece, a triptych illustrating five miracles of Christ, has achieved a remarkable sale price exceeding £5.7 million. This significant artwork, preserved for over 500 years within the Almshouse chapel in Sherborne, Dorset, survived numerous historical challenges. Its auction on Wednesday evening saw a final bid of £5.2 million, surpassing Sotheby's initial estimate of up to £3.5 million.

The acquisition was made by a Christian charitable foundation, bringing the total cost to approximately £5.7 million including fees. Experts have identified the triptych as the sole surviving work by an anonymous Brussels-based artist. This sale allows St John's Almshouse to fund the construction of new self-contained accommodation units, directly supporting their charitable mission for people in need.

Founded in 1437, the Almshouse's mission has long been to provide care and accommodation. The sale of this invaluable artwork ensures the charity's future financial stability, enabling it to continue its work for generations. The buyer's intention for public display offers hope that the triptych may still be accessible within Sherborne at some point.