In February, Christie's in New York will auction a rare sketch attributed to Michelangelo. It was created as a preliminary study for the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, with estimates exceeding $2 million. The small drawing, made in red chalk and measuring just 12 centimeters, was identified by Christie's Renaissance art specialist, Gida Damen, during an online consultation. The expert recognized characteristic features of the Florentine master. Although she was initially skeptical due to the frequency of inquiries about alleged works by Renaissance greats, she decided to proceed with a technical analysis and provenance research. After confirming the authorship, Christie's highlighted that it is an exceptional piece. According to ART News, Michelangelo produced thousands of preparatory sketches for the Sistine Chapel, but only a very small number have survived, mostly in private collections. The auction house will present the work to the public in the coming weeks before its sale, scheduled for February in New York, where it could fetch a record price given its rarity and direct connection to one of the most influential art projects in history.
