Drawing of Archangel Gabriel announcing the birth of Christ, Lucas van Leyden (c.1520) via NYTimes

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has recently acquired a rare drawing from Netherlandish artist Lucas van Leyden. It is one of only 28 existing drawings from the artist, and is the sole Lucas van Leyden drawing to reside in the United States. The sixteenth century drawing depicts the Archangel Gabriel announcing the birth of Christ, and will be apart of the fall exhibit honoring Met director Philippe de Montebello’s tenure at the museum. The drawing was discovered by a lucky collector, who found it unreferenced and tucked into the back of an auction catalogue.

Angels Appear, and Museums Rejoice [NYTimes]
Met Acquires Rare Lucas Van Leyden Drawing [Artinfo]
Metropolitan Museum Acquires Lucas van Leyden Drawing [Artdaily]
Overlooked at Christie’s [NYSun]
Press Release: Metropolitan Museum Acquires Lucas van Leyden Drawing [Designtaxi]
The Metropolitan Museum of Art [The Met]

Philippe de Montebello, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art via NYTimes

This rare Lucas van Leyden drawing was originally purchased at auction as part of an album of drawings by a relatively unknown British artist, William Frederick Witherington. It was unacknowledged in the back of the album, with the label, “an unframed old master drawing by another hand.” It wasn’t until much later that the collector brought it to the attention of the head of the old master drawings for Sotheby’s in London, and it was officially authenticated.

Met director Philippe de Montebello reportedly said, the acquisition of the drawing “crowns our efforts over the past 15 years to make the Met the most comprehensive repository of Netherlandish drawings in America.”

St. Paul led to Damascus, Lucas van Leyden (c. 1509) via The Met Museum

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