NEW YORK (AP) — A 17-century Dutch painting that was owned by Catherine the Great’s art adviser is coming to a New York City auction.
“The Duet” by Gerrit van Honthorst (KHEHR’-iht vahn HAHN’-horst) once hung at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Christie’s estimates it could fetch $2 million to $3 million at next Wednesday’s sale.
Bruno and Ellen Spiro bought the Old Master in 1931. The Nazis seized it from their Berlin home during World War II.
It was later acquired by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where it hung for over 40 years.
It was restituted this year to the Spiros’ heirs.
The painting depicts a nocturnal scene. A man with a moustache and a scantily-dressed young woman sing by candlelight over an open book.
