Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo Set for Auction at Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is set to auction a rare double-sided panel by Antonello da Messina, featuring the emotionally charged Ecce Homo on one side and Saint Jerome in the Desert on the reverse. This significant artwork will be part of the Master Paintings & Works of Art Part I sale on February 5, 2026. It is believed to be one of the few surviving works by Antonello still in private hands, with only about 40 known to exist, most of which are held in museum collections.

New York Observer

The Ecce Homo panel is notable not only for its artistic merit but also for its historical context. It is only the second work of Antonello to appear at auction in a generation, the last being Portrait of a Man (Il Condottiere), which was acquired by the Musée du Louvre in 1865. The current panel has a documented provenance dating back to the early 20th Century and has been featured in major exhibitions, including the Antonello da Messina retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005-2006.

New York Observer

Antonello da Messina is recognized for his innovative use of light and naturalism, which profoundly influenced the Venetian school of painting. Christopher Apostle, Sotheby’s International Head of the Old Masters, emphasized the artist's role in bridging Flemish oil techniques with Italian humanist traditions. The panel exemplifies Antonello's mastery of light, with delicate transitions and reflective shadows that enhance the emotional depth of the figures.

New York Observer

The panel is estimated to fetch between $10 million and $15 million at auction, a valuation calibrated against works by other historically significant artists. This estimate reflects the extreme rarity of Antonello's works on the market, as there are no true comparables by the artist himself. The auction is expected to attract significant interest, given the recent resurgence in the Old Masters market, which saw a 68.8 percent increase in sales in 2025.

New York Observer

While the auction is anticipated to be a landmark event, some critics may question the high valuation, particularly in a market that remains selective. The rarity and condition of the artwork are crucial factors that will influence buyer interest and final sale price.

New York Observer

• “This work by Antonello da Messina is both extremely rare and extremely important, and opportunities like this simply don’t come along very often,” — Christopher Apostle, Sotheby’s International Head of the Old Masters

New York Observer

• “These minute modulations reveal Antonello as a true master of light, capable of creating an effect that is both restrained and profoundly moving.” — Christopher Apostle

New York Observer

The upcoming auction of Antonello da Messina's Ecce Homo represents a significant moment in the art market, highlighting the enduring legacy of one of the Renaissance's most influential painters.

New York Observer