16th-Century Renaissance Painting Discovered in Adirondack Home Sells for Over $83,000 at Sotheby’s, London
Saratoga Springs-based Mark Lawson Antiques and Auctioneers Identifies the Painting, Originally Presented to Pope Clement VII in 1523
A painting described as “remarkable” by London auction house Sotheby’s was discovered in the Adirondacks recently by Mark Lawson, an antiques dealer and auctioneer based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Lawson, the local underwriter of Antiques Roadshow on PBS, described the find as “a truly exciting painting of worldwide significance—and it was found right here, in our own backyard.”
The owner, who Lawson describes as being “completely surprised and delighted” with the turn of events, enjoyed a handsome payday on the sale of the painting, which had previously been relegated to storage.
The work, by Italian painter Giulio Clovio (1498-1578), depicts Christ flanked by the kneeling Madonna and St. John the Baptist, with four angels below playing the trumpets of the Last Judgment. The inscription on its ornate frame states that the painting was originally presented by Clovio to Pope Clement VII upon his accession to the Papal throne in 1523. As a testament to its historical and artistic value, the painting was recently sold for $45,600 GBP—over $83,000 USD—at Sotheby’s.
Significant finds are not new to Lawson, who has previously identified and sold rare objects such as a Rozenberg Art Noveau eggshell porcelain tea service in 2002. The delicate and intricately detailed European set brought over $42,000. Other items of interest handled by Lawson range from a Gibson Les Paul guitar once wrecked by Jimi Hendrix, to a Martin Lewis etching found in an attic that he sold for over $20,000.
“There is no telling what we’ll run into from the area’s attics and residents. There’s a lively mix of excellent and interesting antiques and valuables in the greater Capital Region.”
Mr. Lawson appraises goods, free of charge, weekdays in his office, from 9 a.m. until noon, and Tuesdays until 4 p.m. He appraises, buys outright or sells on commission all types of antique furniture and decorative items, paintings, jewelry, coins, rare collectibles and exceptional objects. He has been an underwriter of Antiques Roadshow on PBS since its inception in 1998.
Current projects include an upcoming auction of rare coins forgotten in safe deposit box storage on Sunday, November 12, 2006, at the Saratoga Springs City Center to be sold without reserve.
Press quote requests and other inquiries should be directed to Mark Lawson at (518) 587-8787.