A drawing by Michelangelo depicting a study of a foot has sold for $27 million at auction, marking one of the highest prices ever achieved for a work on paper by the Renaissance master.
The sketch is believed to be a preparatory study linked to the design process for the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
According to a press release from auction house Christie’s, the newly discovered work was ultimately attributed to Michelangelo following extensive research and sold for $27.2 million, nearly 20 times its low estimate.
Newly discovered Sistine Chapel study sets artist record
Christie’s said the drawing had not previously been recognized as an autograph work by Michelangelo before its reattribution. The sale set a new auction record for the artist, reflecting both the rarity of authenticated works on paper by Michelangelo and the competitive bidding for the lot.
Michelangelo’s foot sketch of the Libyan Sibyl sold for more than $27 million at auction.
The auction house also highlighted that most of Michelangelo’s surviving drawings are held in museum collections, meaning opportunities for private collectors to acquire such works are exceptionally limited.
Outside of classic art, more modern installations have fetched similar sums of money, with the artist behind a viral $6m banana taped to a wall selling a 200lb gold toilet for $12 million in 2025.
