The Art world is agog with excitement over Ritratto di Flora , a portrait painted in the 18th century by Gimbattista Tiepolo and now rediscovered by Christie‘s.
This famous painting commissioned by Empress Elizabeth of Russia has lain untouched in the same private collection for over 200 years.
Since the portrait was deemed too risqué to be hung in the grand salons (the painting shows a half-naked woman adorned with flowers and a single pearl), the French owners hid it in the attic of their castle for two centuries.
The identity of the girl who posed for Giambattista Tiepolo is still unknown, though a few critics have suggested the name of Christina, the daughter of a famous gondolier.
Christie’s will put the painting on the block on 2nd December.
Estimate: £700,000 – £900,000