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A key Murillo is left without a buyer in Madrid and could enter the international market
Madrid leaves the fate of a key work of Spanish Baroque art up in the air. A Murillo Christ on the Cross has not found a buyer at auction, opening the door for the piece to enter the international market and change country.
The painting, which had a starting price of 340,000 euros, went unsold at the Ansorena auction house. The lack of bids is surprising given the importance of the artist and the relevance of the work within his religious output.
Painted between 1665 and 1669, the canvas formed part of the high altar of the Convento de Capuchinos de Sevilla. Its original function and size place it among the most ambitious representations of the subject in Murillo's work.
A recent study has reinforced its historical value by confirming its original location in the church. This type of attribution usually increases interest in the market, although in this case it has not been enough to complete the sale.
The work has an export permit, which makes its possible departure from España easier if a buyer abroad emerges. This factor may accelerate its entry into international circuits where demand is different.
For Madrid, this type of auction takes the pulse of the art market and its capacity to retain relevant heritage. The fact that a piece like this has not found a local buyer reflects how the dynamics of collecting are changing and anticipates movements outside the country.