The painting was identified as the pinnacle to a Nardo di Cione (active c.1343-1365/66) altarpiece which the Brooklyn Museum bought in January 1995, after it failed to sell at Sotheby’s New York Historical Society auction against an estimate of $600,000-800,000.
It is understood that Dickinson was bidding on behalf of the Brooklyn Museum at Duke’s sale, but the museum’s bidding limit was exceeded, leaving him to buy the painting for stock.
“I’d spotted the panel in an advertisement and decided I was going to buy it anyway,” commented Dickinson.
“Even before I contacted the Brooklyn Museum I knew it was a good thing to have. I’m just pleased it’s gone to the right place.”
The museum’s final purchase price was described as “an undisclosed sum”.
Rare medieval painting to be reunited with altarpiece
UK: LEADING London art dealer Simon Dickinson has announced the sale to the Brooklyn Museum of Art of the 14th century Florentine gold ground painting of Christ in Majesty which he bought for £66,000 at Dorchester rooms of Hy. Duke & Son on March 9
