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The gift to the New York contemporary art centre from the organisation named after David Teiger will help to fund an upcoming exhibition programme
Parmigianino’s altarpiece back on view at the National Gallery
From 5 December 2024 to 9 March 2025, the National Gallery celebrates the first public display in a decade, following conservation, of a masterpiece of Italian Mannerism, Parmigianino’s “Madonna and Child with Saints”, also known as ‘The Vision of Saint Jerome’. It is the only major altarpiece by Parmigianino in UK collections.
Source: National Gallery · Image: Parmigianino’s “Madonna and Child with Saints” (detail)
‘The Madonna and Child with Saints’ was undertaken by Parmigianino when he was just 23 years old during his brief period in Rome, where he worked from 1524-‒27. It was intended to adorn a chapel in the church of San Salvatore in Lauro belonging to the Caccialupi, a family of noted church officials. Depicting a Madonna and Child with Saints John the Baptist and Jerome at her feet, it was an important public commission for the young artist, but it was to be his first and the only one he finished in Rome.
According to Giorgio Vasari, Parmigianino was at work on this very altarpiece in 1527 during the disastrous Sack of Rome. When the imperial troops of Charles V broke into his studio, they were so amazed by what they saw that they allowed him to continue, demanding he make drawings for them in exchange for leaving him unharmed. Parmigianino eventually fled Rome, never to see his greatest achievement to date installed. The painting was hidden away for safekeeping, and only recovered long after the artist’s death when it was transferred by the patron’s heirs to their family church in Città di Castello.
Parmigianino was one of the most exemplary and prolific draughtsmen of the 16th century. The numerous surviving preparatory drawings for the altarpiece demonstrate his restless creative dedication to the project. This focused exhibition reunites for the first time a selection of these with the painting. From atmospheric, velvety chalk studies to spritely, swirling pen and ink sketches, it offers an unique opportunity to rediscover the painting from early concept ideas to meticulously finished final designs, illuminating the artist’s dynamic visual thinking through the elegant vivacity of his line and mastery across a variety of media.
BY MARK ANDERSON
A dazzling relic from music history is about to command the global stage. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, a violin crafted in 1714 during Antonio Stradivari’s legendary “Golden Period,” is poised to set hearts racing when it goes under the hammer at Sotheby’s in February 2025. With a jaw-dropping estimate of $12–18 million, this rare masterpiece promises not only to rewrite auction records but also to transform the future of classical music education.
The violin, described as a “masterpiece of sound” and “one of the most important musical instruments ever to appear at auction,” is being offered by the New England Conservatory (NEC). Proceeds from the sale will fund the largest named student scholarship program in the Conservatory’s history, ensuring generations of aspiring musicians can pursue their dreams.
A Treasure of Artistry and History
The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is not just a violin; it’s a living link to the golden age of classical music. Its warm, resonant tone is said to have inspired Johannes Brahms himself, who likely composed his iconic Violin Concerto in D Major with this very instrument in mind. Once owned by Joseph Joachim, one of the 19th century’s most celebrated violinists, the instrument’s illustrious history places it among the finest surviving examples of Stradivari’s unmatched craftsmanship.
Experts point to its remarkable preservation and the luster of its golden-brown varnish as evidence of the reverence it has garnered over three centuries. But it’s the violin’s sublime sound—rich, complex, and uniquely expressive—that has captivated musicians and collectors alike, cementing its status as a “great playing violin” cherished by virtuosos.
From Legacy to Transformation
This marks the first time the violin has been offered at auction in nearly a century, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors, musicians, and cultural institutions to acquire a piece of history. Its sale is not only a pivotal moment for the art world but also a transformative milestone for the NEC, which received the violin as a gift from the late Si-Hon Ma, a distinguished alumnus. Ma, who stipulated the instrument could one day be sold to support students, ensured the violin’s legacy would extend beyond its historic provenance to nurture future talent.
“We are privileged to offer this extraordinary instrument during Masters Week,” said Mari-Claudia Jimenez, Sotheby’s Chairman for the Americas. “Its sale will not only benefit the NEC’s mission to shape the next generation of exceptional musicians but will also place this Stradivarius back on the world stage, where it belongs.”
NEC President Andrea Kalyn called the sale “transformational,” adding that proceeds will establish a named scholarship program that will “honor our mission to educate and train the next generation of musicians.”
A Showpiece Among Masterpieces
The violin’s auction will headline Sotheby’s Masters Week, a prestigious event showcasing rare Old Master paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Ahead of the sale, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will embark on an international exhibition tour, appearing in London and Hong Kong, further fueling global anticipation.
For music lovers, collectors, and historians, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius represents more than an instrument—it’s a tangible piece of musical and cultural heritage, whose journey continues to inspire. Whether it’s heard on the concert stage or cherished in a private collection, its next chapter is destined to resonate through time.
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