New discovery of a masterpiece of painting in a Toulouse family
After that of Caravaggio, a new masterpiece in the history of art was discovered in a family from Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) in July 2021. “The Thuriferous Angel dressed in a yellow tunic” by Bernhard Strigel painted in 1520 will soon be auctioned by Drouot.
Since the end of the 19th century, he was the angel who protected this Toulouse family from generation to generation. Its current owner had obtained it from his parents who had themselves obtained it from their. In July 2021, during an inventory for insurance, this client asks Pauline Maringe of “take a look“to a set of paintings acquired during an inheritance. And more particularly, to this painting of a kneeling angel, dressed in a yellow tunic, holding a censer in his hands.
At the time, the auctioneer ofArtpaugée do not hide a surprise: ” I was in such good condition that when I first saw it, I had doubts about the authenticity of the work. »A doubt raised once the paint is turned over and the wood panels which compose it, studied.
By virtue of its quality, the rendering of the drape of the tunic and that of the wings, the brilliance of its colors, its composition, this painting is a masterpiece belonging to a period between late Gothic and the German Renaissance. But who is the author? Thirty years ago, its owners approached antique fairs to have it appraised. Without success. This time, it is entrusted to the Turquin expert office for its authentication and attribution.
After research, the subject, the dimensions (48.7x61cm), the essence, the scale corresponding to another painting of the figure acquired by the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2009, “The Thuriferous Angel”, below.
the Toulouse painting pendant is his, taking place within the same altarpiece, these painted and sculpted parts at the back of the altars. The whole was painted by Bernhard Strigel in 1520 for the church Our Lady of Memmingen.
A real emotion for Pauline Maringe : “it is the first time that I have discovered such a work. It’s exciting for the history of art and it’s moving. Bernhard Strigel is not an artist very well known to the general public, but can continue to be a bit of his biography, attaching works to him which until then unknown on the art market, gives us the impression of participate in something important. It’s pretty cool. This is why we do this job. “
Over time, this “angel with yellow tunic“appeared and disappeared. Fragmented at the time of the Reformation, it arrived in France at the beginning of the 19th century, after “a possible passage through Tuscany“, before mysteriously fainting and reappearing in this Toulouse family.
A new extraordinary discovery in the pink city, more than 7 years after that of “Judith beheading Holofernes “ of Caravaggio. The auctioneer is convinced of this. Other paintings, other sculptures are waiting to be revealed: “there is a real heritage in Toulouse. There are still old families with works that have never come out and been hidden for over 100 years. The city, rich, is a crossroads of shops, close to Spain and Italy. The works were circulating. There are still great things to discover.“
Estimated between 600,000 and 800,000 euros – a far cry from Caravaggio’s 110 million euros – “The Thuriferous Angel dressed in a yellow tunic” by Bernhard Strigel serums offered for sale on February 4, 2022 at the Chapelle des Carmélites in Toulouse. “My client aches in the heart, assures Pauline Maninge. He is attached to this painting and turns out to be torn between nostalgia to see him leave the family and the joy of knowing he is housed in a museum.“. With the hope that the Louvre Abu Dhabi acquires it and reunites the two panels of the altarpiece of Memmingen, separated for nearly five centuries now.