The Top 20 Auction Records for 17th-Century Paintings
The world of fine art auctions has always been full of drama, intrigue, and staggering prices. Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of 17th-century paintings. The 1600s, an era often referred to as the golden age of painting, gave the world masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Diego Velázquez, and Caravaggio. These old masters created works that still inspire awe centuries later, and collectors have consistently battled at auction houses to secure them.
In this article, we will examine the top 12 auction records for 17th-century paintings, exploring the works themselves, the artists behind them, the auction houses where bidding wars took place, and the collectors who claimed them. Along the way, we will gain insight into why these prices soared to record-breaking levels and how these sales have shaped the art market.
Why 17th-Century Paintings Dominate the Auction World
Before diving into the record sales, it’s important to understand the significance of 17th-century art. This was the period of the Baroque movement, a style defined by drama, realism, and powerful emotional expression. It was also the golden age of Dutch painting, with artists mastering light, shadow, and detail.
Paintings from this era are highly coveted not only for their artistic quality but also for their scarcity. Many remain locked in museum collections, meaning very few masterpieces are available on the open market. This scarcity naturally drives competition and elevates prices whenever a significant work surfaces at auction.
1. Rembrandt van Rijn – Portrait of Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit
Auction Price: Approximately $180 million (private sale facilitated by Christie’s and Sotheby’s)
Year Sold: 2016
Where: Joint acquisition by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, and the Louvre, Paris
This pair of full-length portraits by Rembrandt stands as one of the most significant transactions in the art market. Although technically facilitated through a private treaty sale, it set a benchmark for 17th-century painting values. The paintings depict wealthy Amsterdam newlyweds Marten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit, captured in Rembrandt’s trademark mastery of light and psychological depth.
The deal was unique because two major museums, the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum, came together to jointly acquire the works, ensuring that the paintings would remain publicly accessible. This record underscored Rembrandt’s enduring status as one of the most valuable old masters in auction history.
2. Peter Paul Rubens – The Massacre of the Innocents
Auction Price: $76.7 million
Year Sold: 2002
Where: Sotheby’s, London
When The Massacre of the Innocents came under the hammer at Sotheby’s, London in 2002, it shocked the art world by fetching nearly $77 million. At the time, it was among the highest sums ever paid for an Old Master.
Rubens’ powerful interpretation of the biblical tragedy brims with violent motion, anguish, and raw emotion, a hallmark of Baroque art. The painting had once been attributed to a follower but was later confirmed as an authentic Rubens, which fueled intense bidding. The winning bid came from Canadian businessman and collector Kenneth Thomson, who later donated it to the Art Gallery of Ontario.
3. Diego Velázquez – Saint Rufina
Auction Price: $16.9 million
Year Sold: 2007
Where: Sotheby’s, London
Velázquez, court painter to King Philip IV of Spain, remains one of the most revered figures of 17th-century art. His Saint Rufina portrays the early Christian martyr in a composition of serene dignity.
The work went under the hammer at Sotheby’s in 2007 and realized nearly $17 million. The winning bid was placed by the Focus-Abengoa Foundation, ensuring the painting’s return to Seville, the city where Velázquez began his career. This sale set a record for the artist at the time and reaffirmed the global demand for Spanish Baroque masterpieces.
4. Rembrandt van Rijn – Portrait of a Man with Arms Akimbo
Auction Price: $33.2 million
Year Sold: 2009
Where: Christie’s, London
This striking portrait by Rembrandt showcases his ability to convey strength and individuality through posture and facial expression. The sitter, with hands on hips, exudes confidence and presence.
When it appeared at Christie’s, London in 2009, bidding was fierce. The final hammer price soared to over $33 million, setting a new auction benchmark for a Rembrandt portrait. The buyer, whose identity remained private, secured not just a painting but a quintessential example of Rembrandt’s portraiture.
5. Caravaggio – Judith Beheading Holofernes (disputed)
Auction Price: Estimated value $100–150 million, withdrawn from auction
Year: 2019 planned auction in Toulouse, France
Though its sale was ultimately withdrawn due to a private deal, Caravaggio’s rediscovered Judith Beheading Holofernes created immense buzz in 2019. Found in an attic in Toulouse, the painting depicts the biblical heroine Judith in the act of slaying Assyrian general Holofernes, a scene rendered with brutal realism.
French authorities initially classified the work as a national treasure, but later allowed its sale. The painting was purchased privately, with some reports suggesting it was acquired by billionaire collector J. Tomilson Hill. Even though it bypassed the public auction block, its estimated valuation places it among the most significant 17th-century transactions.
6. Anthony van Dyck – Self-Portrait
Auction Price: $13.5 million
Year Sold: 2009
Where: Sotheby’s, London
Van Dyck, the Flemish master and court painter to Charles I of England, was celebrated for his elegant portraiture. His Self-Portrait, painted shortly before his death in 1641, provides a rare glimpse into the artist’s own image.
At Sotheby’s in 2009, the painting achieved $13.5 million after intense bidding. The buyer was London’s National Portrait Gallery, which campaigned to secure funds to keep the masterpiece in the United Kingdom. This purchase was considered not only a financial record but also a cultural triumph.
7. Georges de La Tour – Saint Thomas
Auction Price: $4.2 million
Year Sold: 1990
Where: Christie’s, Paris
French Baroque painter Georges de La Tour is renowned for his nocturnal scenes illuminated by candlelight. His Saint Thomas, depicting the apostle in quiet contemplation, reached $4.2 million at Christie’s in Paris in 1990.
While this may seem modest compared to other records, it was groundbreaking at the time, as La Tour’s works are exceedingly rare. The sale reignited interest in French Baroque art and confirmed La Tour’s place among the most desirable 17th-century painters.
8. Rembrandt van Rijn – Portrait of Jan Six (private)
Auction Price: Estimated over $25 million (private sale)
Year Sold: mid-20th century, resurfaced in valuation reports
One of Rembrandt’s most admired portraits, Jan Six, portrays his wealthy friend and patron, depicted mid-motion as he adjusts his glove. While the painting has long remained in the Six family’s collection in Amsterdam, it has been valued at sums exceeding $25 million in private estimates.
Though not a public auction, its significance lies in its iconic status and the rarity of similar Rembrandt portraits reaching the open market. Collectors consistently cite this work as a benchmark for value in Old Master portraiture.
9. Jan Vermeer – The Little Street
Auction Price: Estimated $30 million (private acquisition)
Year Sold: 20th century, transferred to the Rijksmuseum
Johannes Vermeer’s works are among the scarcest treasures of 17th-century painting. Only around 34 are universally accepted as authentic, and nearly all are held by museums. The Little Street, a rare depiction of a quiet Dutch street scene, was secured by the Rijksmuseum for an undisclosed sum estimated around $30 million in today’s value.
Because Vermeer’s paintings almost never appear on the market, any sale, public or private, creates enormous waves in the art world.
10. Rembrandt van Rijn – Portrait of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit (individual records)
Auction Price: Over $80 million each (as part of the joint $180 million acquisition)
Year Sold: 2016
Where: Joint Louvre-Rijksmuseum deal
While we previously discussed the pair collectively, it is worth emphasizing that each painting individually ranks among the most expensive 17th-century works ever sold. Their joint sale redefined the upper limits of Old Master pricing and stands as a once-in-a-lifetime event.
11. Peter Paul Rubens – Lot and His Daughters
Auction Price: $58.1 million
Year Sold: 2016
Where: Christie’s, London
Rubens returned to the auction spotlight in 2016 when Lot and His Daughters sold for $58.1 million at Christie’s, London. The painting, which depicts the biblical figure Lot being seduced by his daughters after the destruction of Sodom, exemplifies Rubens’ dynamic style and sensuality.
The buyer was reported to be an anonymous private collector. The sale reaffirmed Rubens’ enduring value and ranked as one of the highest Old Master prices of the decade.
12. Rembrandt van Rijn – Abraham and the Angels
Auction Price: $20 million
Year Sold: 2021
Where: Sotheby’s, New York
In 2021, Rembrandt’s Abraham and the Angels came to auction at Sotheby’s in New York, generating international attention. The small yet powerful oil-on-panel painting depicts the biblical moment when Abraham receives divine visitors.
The painting hammered down at $20 million, a strong result that underscored Rembrandt’s unmatched stature among collectors. It also marked one of the rare instances in recent years when a significant Rembrandt came to the public market.
13. Artemisia Gentileschi – Lucretia
Auction Price: $5.3 million
Year Sold: 2019
Where: Artcurial, Paris
Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the most celebrated female artists of the Baroque period, has seen a dramatic rise in recognition in recent decades. Her Lucretia, which depicts the Roman heroine at the tragic moment before her suicide, became a landmark sale in 2019.
Hammering down at $5.3 million at Artcurial, Paris, the result set a new auction record for Gentileschi. The work’s emotional intensity and powerful feminist resonance attracted strong interest from international collectors, solidifying Gentileschi’s position alongside her male contemporaries in the auction hierarchy.
14. Orazio Gentileschi – Danaë
Auction Price: $30.5 million
Year Sold: 2016
Where: Sotheby’s, New York
Orazio Gentileschi, father of Artemisia, was another master of 17th-century Baroque painting. His Danaë, painted for the noble Pamphilj family in Rome, depicts the mythological princess visited by Zeus in the form of golden rain.
When it appeared at Sotheby’s in 2016, the painting sparked a fierce bidding war, ultimately selling for $30.5 million to an anonymous collector. The price shattered Orazio’s previous records and emphasized the growing appetite for early Baroque masterpieces with impeccable provenance.
15. Jacob Jordaens – The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist
Auction Price: $2.3 million
Year Sold: 2008
Where: Sotheby’s, London
A leading Flemish painter of the 17th century, Jacob Jordaens was a contemporary of Rubens and Van Dyck. His The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist reflects his warm, naturalistic approach to religious subjects.
Sold at Sotheby’s in 2008 for $2.3 million, this painting underscored Jordaens’ importance within the Flemish Baroque canon. While not reaching Rubens-like prices, the sale highlighted strong collector demand for high-quality works by his circle.
16. Francisco de Zurbarán – Saint Dorothy
Auction Price: $3.4 million
Year Sold: 2019
Where: Sotheby’s, New York
Zurbarán, a Spanish master known for his austere and spiritual imagery, painted Saint Dorothy with his characteristic simplicity and luminous contrasts.
When it appeared at Sotheby’s in 2019, the painting exceeded expectations, selling for $3.4 million. The winning bidder was a private collector, and the sale reaffirmed Zurbarán’s reputation as one of Spain’s most significant 17th-century painters.
17. Salvator Rosa – The Death of Empedocles
Auction Price: $3.5 million
Year Sold: 2010
Where: Sotheby’s, New York
Known for his dramatic and often unconventional subjects, Salvator Rosa painted The Death of Empedocles as a monumental exploration of philosophy and tragedy.
The 2010 Sotheby’s sale saw the painting reach $3.5 million, setting a benchmark for Rosa. Collectors valued its combination of intellectual subject matter and Baroque theatricality, making it one of the artist’s most significant appearances at auction.
18. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo – The Immaculate Conception
Auction Price: $2.7 million
Year Sold: 2017
Where: Christie’s, London
Murillo, famed for his tender depictions of the Virgin Mary, has long been beloved in Spain and beyond. His The Immaculate Conception exemplifies his graceful style and luminous palette.
In 2017 at Christie’s, London, the painting sold for $2.7 million, highlighting ongoing collector interest in Spanish Baroque religious works. Murillo’s serene imagery remains particularly sought after among collectors with an eye for devotional art.
19. Claude Lorrain – Landscape with Psyche Outside the Palace of Cupid
Auction Price: $6.1 million
Year Sold: 2012
Where: Sotheby’s, London
Claude Lorrain, a French painter active in Rome, was a pioneer of idealized landscape painting. His Landscape with Psyche Outside the Palace of Cupid blends mythological subject matter with a breathtakingly harmonious natural setting.
When it appeared at Sotheby’s in 2012, it commanded $6.1 million, a strong result that reaffirmed Lorrain’s place as one of the most important landscape painters of the 17th century. Collectors valued not just the subject but also the artist’s profound influence on later generations.
20. Guercino – King David
Auction Price: $8.1 million
Year Sold: 2010
Where: Christie’s, London
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, was a central figure of Italian Baroque art. His King David, painted with dramatic lighting and emotional intensity, is among his most compelling works.
At Christie’s in 2010, the painting achieved $8.1 million, setting a record for Guercino at auction. The sale reflected growing demand for Italian Baroque artists beyond the biggest names like Caravaggio and Rubens, expanding the market’s scope.
The Factors Behind Record-Breaking Prices
Looking at these auction results, several common factors emerge:
Artist Reputation – Names like Rembrandt, Rubens, Velázquez, and Vermeer guarantee international interest.
Rarity – Many of these artists’ works are in permanent museum collections, making available examples extraordinarily scarce.
Provenance – Paintings with prestigious ownership histories inspire confidence and competition.
Condition and Attribution – Reattribution of a painting to a master can catapult its value, as seen with Rubens’ Massacre of the Innocents.
Institutional Competition – Museums often bid aggressively to secure cultural treasures, pushing prices higher.
The Timeless Appeal of 17th-Century Paintings
The top auction records for 17th-century paintings tell a story not just of monetary value but of cultural significance. Collectors and institutions continue to compete passionately for works that connect us to a pivotal era in art history, the Baroque and Dutch Golden Age.
As markets evolve, Old Masters have remained remarkably resilient, with paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, and their contemporaries commanding top-tier prices. Each sale adds a new chapter to the history of collecting, reinforcing that the art of the 1600s remains among the most coveted treasures in the world.
For collectors, curators, and enthusiasts alike, these records are more than transactions, they are milestones in the enduring relationship between humanity and art.
