Full Breakdown
Sotheby’s Showcases Perugino’s Cimasa in New York
1/30/2026, 10:29:42 PM
Cultural Collaboration and Heritage Promotion
Sotheby’s has transformed its Breuer headquarters into a cultural landmark, actively collaborating with international museums to promote national cultural heritage. A notable partnership has emerged with the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, which is lending a masterpiece by the Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino for display during Sotheby’s upcoming Old Masters sales series in New York. This initiative is supported by the Italian fashion house Brunello Cucinelli, aligning luxury marketing with cultural patronage.
The cimasa from Perugino’s Decemviri Altarpiece, dated 1495, will be showcased alongside other significant works, including Antonello da Messina's rare Ecce Homo and a drawing consigned by American billionaire Thomas S. Kaplan to benefit his wildlife conservation organization, Panthera. Costantino D’Orazio, director of the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, emphasized the importance of this loan, stating it aims to raise awareness of Umbria’s contributions to Italian history and culture. He described the cimasa as one of the most profound works in the collection, marking a significant moment as it travels outside of Perugia for the first time.
Engaging American Patrons
Beginning in 2026, U.S. citizens will have the opportunity to support the National Museums of Umbria through donations facilitated by the Myriad Foundation, which focuses on fundraising for the conservation of artistic heritage. George Wachter, Sotheby’s chairman of Old Master Paintings, highlighted the collaboration as a commitment to scholarship and care, noting the historical significance of the cimasa and its role in fostering dialogue among art across centuries.
The Old Masters Week auctions will feature works by Perugino’s contemporaries, including pieces by Venetian painter Alvise Vivarini and Florentine artist Biagio d’Antonio, providing a broader context of late 15th-century Italian painting. The cimasa’s presence during this event invites discussions on scholarship and artistic lineage.
The Artistic Significance of the Cimasa
Pietro Perugino’s cimasa captures a unique moment of Christ’s Resurrection, depicted against a stark black background, diverging from traditional representations that typically emphasize light. This choice enhances the theological focus of the painting, creating a powerful viewer experience. The cimasa has a complex history, having been removed by Napoleon’s agents in 1797 and only briefly reunited with its original components in 2019 and 2020.
After its exhibition at Sotheby’s Breuer headquarters, the cimasa will be loaned to the Morgan Library in Midtown Manhattan, where it will be displayed alongside a Giovanni Bellini Pietà, further enriching the dialogue between historical artworks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Allowing it to travel outside of Perugia for the first time is an act of great responsibility, but also of conviction.” — Costantino D’Orazio, Director, Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria
- “This painting carries immense historical and spiritual significance, and its presence during Old Masters Week invites a broader conversation around scholarship, discovery, and lineage—one that stands in dialogue with the great works of art across the centuries being offered at auction this week,” — George Wachter, Chairman of Old Master Paintings, Sotheby’s
Conclusion
Sotheby’s initiative to showcase Perugino’s cimasa not only highlights the auction house's commitment to cultural heritage but also fosters a deeper engagement with American audiences regarding Italian art history. The collaboration with the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria and the support from Brunello Cucinelli exemplify a merging of luxury and cultural patronage, aiming to enrich the appreciation of Renaissance art.
