The painting was first stolen by Napoleon's troops from Belvedere Palace in Vienna during the early 19th century. More recently, in 1995, it was taken from Longleat House in England. Christie’s is set to auction Titian's 'Rest on the Flight to Egypt,' a painting by the illustrious Italian master that has not been seen on the market for 145 years.
The exquisite piece, expected to fetch up to £25 million (€30m), depicts a serene moment as the Holy Family pauses on their journey to . Mary tenderly cradles the infant Jesus while Joseph looks on. It is one of the last of the master's early religious works still in private hands so its upcoming auction by Christie's is attracting a lot of attention.
However, the painting, created around 1510, has been desirable to art thieves and was stolen on two occasions in the past. In 1995, the painting was taken from Longleat House, where it had hung since it was acquired by the 4th Marquess of Bath in 1878. Orlando Rock, chairman of Christie's UK, explains the dramatic tale: "This is one of the most exciting pictures that Christie's has ever handled.
It has a slightly chequered history because in the 1990s it was actually on display in the state drawing room of Longleat House on the first floor and in the middle of the night somebody climbed up on a ladder and it was stolen out of its frame and it then disappeared." It was missing for seven years and a reward of £100,000 was offered for its safe return. The painting was eventually trac.
