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Rare Renaissance Portrait—Once Attributed to Leonardo da Vinci—Sets $3.1 Million Record

Bernardino de’ Conti's side-profile depiction of a noblewoman last sold in 1993 for just $249,000.

Portrait of an Elegantly-Attired Noblewoman in Profile. Bernardino de' Conti. (Photo: Photo: screenshot/ Sotheby´s)

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By Eileen Kinsella

February 15, 2025
3:34 pm
Los Angeles, CA

Bernardino de’ Conti may not be a household name today, but he was ranked among the most important artists in Leonardo da Vinci’s circle in 16th-century Milan. This side-profile portrait was even attributed to Leonardo himself when it was in the Castelbarco Collection in the 1800s. Portrait of an Elegantly-Attired Noblewoman in Profile (ca. 1500) made $3.1 million at Sotheby’s on February 6, a new auction record for de’ Conti. The work had been guaranteed to sell, since it carried an “irrevocable bid” from an unnamed individual (could it be the buyer?), but the premium-inclusive final result was a strong showing, just above its $3 million high estimate (which is calculated sans premium). The work came to the block from the collection of Old Master connoisseur and financier J.E.

Portrait of an Elegantly-Attired Noblewoman in Profile (ca. 1500) made $3.1 million at Sotheby’s on February 6, a new auction record for de’ Conti. The work had been guaranteed to sell, since it carried an “irrevocable bid” from an unnamed individual (could it be the buyer?), but the premium-inclusive final result was a strong showing, just above its $3 million high estimate (which is calculated sans premium).

Portrait of an Elegantly-Attired Noblewoman in Profile. Bernardino De Conti (Photo: heni.com)

The work came to the block from the collection of Old Master connoisseur and financier J.E. Safra, who acquired it in 1993 for $249,000 (£166,500) at Christie’s London, according to the Artnet Price Database. That’s about $539,000 today, adjusted for inflation. Just three years earlier, it sold at the same place for $597,000 (£308,000), according to the database.

“This is my favorite work in New York this week,” veteran Old Master dealer Robert Simon said. “It is a phenomenal portrait in fantastic condition by one of the most distinguished followers of Leonardo da Vinci.”

It reflects both Leonardo’s influence and the prevailing aesthetic of the Lombardy court, according to Sotheby’s catalogue listing. Its subject is portrayed against a dark backdrop that highlights both her complexion and her elegant dress. “Even though she is depicted with physiognomic specificity, the image also endows her with a timelessness,” Sotheby’s said.

“It really is astonishing,” Simon said, mentioning “its detail, and the hard-edge contours of the features of the sitter, and the drapery,” which “give this painting a kind of hyper-real presence.”

“I loved it!” he said.

Source: artnet

The previous record was set by Portrait of lady half length in black dress decorated with lace (Undated), which sold for $542,900 at Christie’s on December 14, 1990. The work had not been traded before. (Heni News)

Sale Date	Title	Price	Record Increase	Venue	City
2025-02-06	Portrait of an Elegantly-Attired Noblewoman in Profile	$3.12m	475 %	Sotheby’s	New York
1990-12-14	Portrait of lady half length in black dress decorated with lace	$542,900	539 %	Christie’s	London
1980-06-05	Portrait of Beatrice d’Este	$85,000	5 %	Christie’s	New York
1965-07-02	Portrait of a lady in profile wearing a snood	$81,200	–	Christie’s	London