A previously unknown painting by Russian artist Viktor Wasnetsov has sold for 135 million rubles (approximately 1.4 million euros) at an auction in Moscow, according to the press release of the Moscow auction house responsible for the sale.
The surprise of the auction was the rediscovered painting “Pilgrims” by Viktor Wasnetsov, a legend of Russian 19th-century art. The painting was discovered by chance in 2003, when it was purchased at a Sotheby’s auction for 46,000 euros. At the time, it was believed to be a work by an unknown artist from the second half of the 19th century.
After being brought to the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg for further examination, experts confirmed that “Pilgrims” is a lost work from Wasnetsov’s early period and a variation of his 1873 painting “Beggars”.
Initially, experts had estimated the painting would sell for around one million euros. However, the reality was even more spectacular, with the painting selling for almost 1.5 million euros. The painting will be on display at the Russian Museum until the end of March, after which it will be part of a private collection.