Entertainment · Books & Arts · 2 hrs ago
Rare Altdorfer landscape to go to auction in London for up to £5m
A painting that had been held in a private Swiss collection for decades is due to be auctioned in London.
It was painted around 1520 by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer, who is regarded as one of the first landscape artists.
The work shows a dense forest beneath clouds, with a rainbow and a distant rocky outcrop.
It is one of only three known oil landscapes by Altdorfer; the other two are in museums in London and Munich.
Sotheby’s estimates it will sell for £3m to £5m on 9 December, the first time a known work by Altdorfer has come to auction since 1980.
The painting will be shown in New York and London before the sale, and museums may be interested in buying it.
A rare landscape by Albrecht Altdorfer, dating from around 1520, will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London on 9 December.
The painting is estimated to sell for between £3m and £5m.
It was previously unknown to Altdorfer scholars and has not been seen in public for 70 years.
It is one of only three known oil landscapes by the German Renaissance artist.
The current owner inherited it from their father, who bought it in 1957 from the collection of the House of Harrach.
- Who
- Sotheby’s will auction the painting; its current owner inherited it from their father.
- What
- A rare landscape by Albrecht Altdorfer, titled A Thickly Wooded Landscape With a Rainbow Behind the Trees and a Distant Outcrop to the Right Beneath a Cloud-Laden Sky, will be offered for sale.
- When
- The auction is scheduled for 9 December.
- Where
- Sotheby’s in London.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The current owner’s father bought the painting from the collection of the House of Harrach.
The painting was identified after having been unknown to Altdorfer scholars.
Sotheby’s is scheduled to exhibit the painting in New York.
Sotheby’s is scheduled to exhibit the painting in London.
The painting is scheduled to be auctioned in London.
- Artist
- Albrecht Altdorfer
- Date of painting
- Around 1520
- Auction date
- 9 December 2026
- Auction estimate
- £3m to £5m
- Known oil landscapes by Altdorfer
- Three, including this painting
- Previous market appearance
- No Altdorfer work had been offered at auction since 1980
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What people are saying
one of the most exciting discoveries imaginable in our field
We don’t really know what it’s worth because it’s many decades since an Altdorfer last came to the market
It could fetch more than our estimate. I think it’s quite likely that museums will be interested.