Rubens’ chalk study of a kneeling man estimated at €250,000-350,000.
On offer will be nearly 100 lots spanning the 16th to 19th centuries from the Italian, French, Flemish and Dutch schools with a global estimate of around €1.3m.
One highlight is a drawing by the Flemish master Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) of a kneeling man shown in profile, which has an estimate of €250,000-350,000.
The 15 x 11½in (40.5 x 29cm) black chalk drawing with white highlights is one of four works in the sale that were acquired at auction in 1867 by the collector Joannes de Clercq and have been in the same family ever since.
From a later period comes a set of four black and white chalk studies by the Belgian Symbolist Fernand Khnopff (1858-1921).
The two pairs depicting a woman as a sphinx shown full face and in profile and a woman’s head and an androgynous figure of a knight in armour are examples of Khnopff’s signature aesthetic – portrayals of mysterious women – and are in the original elaborate frame he designed.
Framed set of four studies by Fernand Khnopff estimated at €200,000-300,000 at Christie’s drawings sale.
They are executed in black and white chalk on blue paper monogrammed FK and measure 7½ x 3½in (19 x 9cm), 8 x 5in (20 x 12.5cm), 3¾in x 4¼in (9.5 x 11cm) and 10¼ x 4in (26 x 10.5cm). The estimate is €200,000-300,000.
