25/08/2026
A remarkable rediscovery at Hampel Fine Art Auctions: a newly surfaced painting by Federico Barocci, closely connected to his celebrated Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian in Urbino Cathedral.
The painting depicts the young Bonaventura, the same figure portrayed at the foot of Barocci’s monumental altarpiece of 1557–58. The newly rediscovered canvas may in fact be a preparatory painting created by Barocci in the course of developing the figure for the final composition. While closely corresponding to the young man in the altarpiece, it presents several significant variations, offering a fascinating insight into Barocci’s creative process. Its connection with the Martyrdom is further supported by a preparatory drawing of the same head, today preserved in a private American collection.
From 24 August 2026, the work will be exhibited at the Sale del Castellare, Palazzo Ducale in Urbino, as part of the exhibition Da Barocci a Tiepolo.
We are honoured to contribute to the rediscovery of this important work and to make its return to Urbino possible.
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The painting will be offered in our auction on 24 September 2026.
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Federico Barocci, 1535 – 1612
Portrait of the Young Bonaventura, c. 1556–1557
Oil on canvas, 40.5 × 34 cm
Estimate: € 80.000 – 120.000
Auction: 24 September 2026
Exhibition: From 24 August at the Sale del Castellare, Palazzo Ducale, Urbino, as part of the exhibition “Da Barocci a Tiepolo. La Madonna Albani e la grande pittura italiana tra Cinque e Settecento”
