Historic Record at Christie's: Michelangelo Drawing Sells for $27 Million.

Historic Record at Christie's: Michelangelo Drawing Sells for $27 Million.

360 Raw Magazine Staff.

In a landmark event for the art world, a small red chalk study by Michelangelo, titled “Study for the Foot of the Libyan Sibyl” (c. 1511–1512), became the centerpiece of Christie's February 2026 auction, fetching an astonishing $27.2 million. The sale set a new world record for a drawing by the Florentine master, reaffirming his enduring power in the contemporary market.

The Unexpected Discovery

Measuring just 13 centimeters, the work had remained hidden for generations in a private American collection. Its existence came to light almost by chance, when it was submitted via email for appraisal—revealing a treasure long concealed from public view.

Anatomy and Precision

Executed in red chalk, the drawing presents a meticulous anatomical study of the Libyan Sibyl’s right foot, one of the central figures on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. On the reverse, additional sketches of a leg and knee testify to Michelangelo’s relentless pursuit of perfection before committing his vision to fresco.

Connection to the Sistine Chapel

This sheet belongs to the rare group of preparatory works for the Sistine ceiling. Of the roughly 600 surviving drawings by Michelangelo, only about 50 are directly related to the project, and fewer than ten remain in private hands. The rarity of this piece explains the fervor it inspired among collectors and scholars alike.

A Market-Shaping Record

The price achieved not only establishes a new benchmark for Michelangelo’s drawings but also underscores the growing recognition of preparatory studies as autonomous works of extraordinary significance. Despite its modest scale, the Study for the Foot of the Libyan Sibyl encapsulates the grandeur of the Sistine project and the artist’s obsession with human anatomy.

The discovery and sale at Christie's enrich the narrative of recent art market milestones, reaffirming the universal fascination with Michelangelo—an artist whose hand continues to set records five centuries later.

Sources press office official New York/Christie's/

Photos & video stock social networks /facebook / Christie's/ archive/ New York/

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