The Hispanic Society Museum and Library, located in Upper Manhattan, is set to auction off 45 European Old Master paintings, including a notable work from the workshop of the renowned artist El Greco. This decision, which comes as part of a strategic plan to raise funds for collection care and new acquisitions, will culminate in an online auction closing on October 17, 2023.
Founded in 1904, the Hispanic Society was established with the mission to “advance the study of the Spanish and Portuguese languages, literature, and history.” The museum is now offering these works through Christie’s as they have been deemed outside its core focus. This move is part of the institution’s effort to “responsibly diversify” its collection, according to a recent press release shared with art publication Hyperallergic.
The decision to deaccession these artworks aligns with the guidelines set forth by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), which specifies how accredited institutions can utilize deaccessioning funds. Among the approved uses is collection care, which remains a priority for the Hispanic Society. The museum holds a variety of significant items, including a first-edition copy of Don Quixote and an early world map dated 1529.
The auction features works primarily depicting religious and aristocratic themes. Among the highlights is the painting “Saint Dominic in Prayer,” attributed to the workshop of El Greco, which is projected to sell for over $150,000. As of now, the highest bid for this piece stands at $160,000.
Another notable piece available for bidding is “Portrait of Emperor Charles V in an Armchair,” a modern reproduction inspired by Titian’s original work. Additional items include a portrait of Isabella of Portugal by a follower of Titian, currently bidding at $9,500, as well as a Madonna and child after Luis de Morales, and “El Columpio (The Swing)” by 20th-century Seville painter Clemente Del Camino y Parladé.
The auction pieces will be on display at Christie’s headquarters in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center until October 15, providing the public a chance to view these significant works before the bidding concludes. The Hispanic Society’s initiative reflects a broader trend in museum practices, where institutions seek to adapt their collections to better serve their missions and audiences.
While the museum did not respond to inquiries regarding specific plans for the funds generated by the auction, the move signifies a strategic pivot as it continues to engage with the local community, particularly in the Washington Heights area, which is recognized as a Dominican Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. This auction not only aims to enhance the museum’s collection but also underscores the importance of responsible stewardship in the art world.
