The Master of Marradi in Newcastle saleroom

An extraordinary Renaissance painting by The Master of Marradi has been uncovered in a farmhouse near Bellingham, Northumberland. The find will be a highlight of Newcastle’s Anderson & Garland’s Summer Fine Country House Auctions on July 23 and 24, 2024, with an estimated sale value of £50,000-80,000.

Dating back to the late 15th century, the painting was initially believed to be the work of Bernardino di Betto (1454-1513), commonly known as Pinturicchio, or “little painter.” Previously owned by renowned art collector Charles Butler (1821-1910), this masterpiece was a significant piece in his collection, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1881 among other works by the Old Masters. It was also showcased in London between 1893-1894 in an Early Italian Art Exhibition at New Gallery, Regent Street, alongside works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and another Pinturicchio piece loaned from The Royal Collection by Queen Victoria.

The painting was formerly, formally attributed to Pinturicchio until it came to Anderson & Garland. The auction house later found an archive of communications between fine art dealer Michael Tollemache with Everett Fahy in 1993 where it was first suspected to be by the Master of Marradi. Anderson & Garland’s fine art specialists have then re-attributed the painting accordingly.

This artist, whose real name remains unknown, is celebrated for his depictions of the Madonna, Saints, and other Christian religious themes. Likely residing in Tuscany, near Florence, the Master of Marradi derived his name from five works originating from the monastery of Santa Reparata, the Badia del Borgo, near Marradi. His style suggests influences from contemporary Renaissance painter Domenico Ghirlandaio and later works exhibit traces of Botticelli and Perugino, which likely led to the initial misattribution to Pinturicchio.

Following Charles Butler’s death in 1911, the painting was sold at Christie’s for £1,102, roughly equivalent to £140,000 today. Purchased by the vendor’s Great Grandmother, Pauline Spender Clay, probably from the auction in 1911, it has not been available to be seen by the public for over 100 years. Spender-Clay was an American-English socialite known for her hospitality and 1899 portrait by the Modern Master John Sargent.

Fred Wyrley-Birch, Director at Anderson & Garland said: “It is rare to see work by the unknown Master of Marradi at auction, and we are proud to be able to offer it for sale here at Anderson & Garland. We expect lots of interest and interested parties are welcome to view the painting at our showroom in Newcastle prior to its sale during our Fine Summer Auction Series in July.”

The auction will also feature another painting by an Italian Master, Jean Phillips van Thielen, featuring The Holy Family. This piece, also consigned by a Northumberland family, is estimated to sell for between £15,000-25,000. The sale also includes a variety of fine items such as furniture, art, sculptures, clocks, books, and manuscripts.