P ortraits have always been more than just paintings—they are powerful symbols of identity, status, and storytelling. In Sotheby’s upcoming Old Masters auction series, six experts decode the hidden meanings behind masterworks by artists like Jacopo Tintoretto and Bernardino de’ Conti, revealing the lives, fashion, and cultural significance of their subjects.
Who were these sitters? What messages were their portraits meant to convey? And why do these centuries-old images still captivate us today?
This February, Sotheby’s Old Masters 2025, presented in partnership with Qatar Executive, showcases six centuries of artistic excellence, featuring paintings, drawings, and rare objects. Highlights include Rubens’ Annunciation, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, and The Vision of Aso O. Tavitian collection.
Live and online auctions will take place in New York from 5–11 February, with an exhibition in our New York galleries, free and open to the public. Don’t miss the chance to experience these extraordinary works up close.