Rembrandt self-portrait etching may bring $150,000 at Universal Live auction

Universal Live has big expectations for its Special Post-New Year's Art Auction to be conducted online Tuesday, January 10.

Highlighting the auction is an original Rembrandt self-portrait etching dated to 1639 and 20 LeRoy Neiman signed limited edition prints.

Martin Shape, president of Universal Live, notes that the projected opening bids for the 329 lots in Tuesday's sale total about $6m.

He has reason to be optimistic on the heels of Universal Live's successful art auction of December 29 in which three Picassos sold for remarkable prices. Lot 037, a Pablo Picasso signed original drawing, in a book published in 1960, opened at $4,550 and finished up at $7,425 (inclusive of the buyer's premium).

Rembrandt self portrait etching
Strike a pose... Rembrandt's self-portrait etching

Lot 120, a Picasso original signed Verve lithograph, 1954, opened at $1,000 and reached $1,520. And lot 147, another Picasso signed original drawing in a signed book published in 1954, started at $2,700 and ended at $13,220, almost double the high estimate.

The Picacsso works were consigned by a London physician and two sold to a buyer in Vienna.

"We are very international in scope," said Shape, noting these are among the highest prices paid for Picasso signed drawings in books.

The Rembrandt self-portrait etching in Tuesday's auction has solid provenance. "It's from a private party. It's a known piece," said Shape.

An original etching printed in black ink on laid paper, signed and dated at the upper left 'Rembrandt f. / 1639', the richly printed, strong and clear 17th century/lifetime impression is estimated at $145,000-$150,000.

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