Lost Michelangelo sketch made while painting Sistine Chapel goes to auction for $2M estimate

A once lost sketch from legendary artist Michelangelo which was made while painting the Sistine Chapel has gone to auction for $2m.

The rare piece of art dates back to around 1511.

It was believed to have been lost, until its unsuspecting owner submitted a photo for evaluation.

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The sketch, which is alleged to be one of only 10 Michelangelo drawings known to be in private hands, displays plans for the right foot of the monumental figure of the Libyan Sibyl, which is at the far east end of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.

Now, it’s due to hit auction at around an eye-watering $2m (£1.48m) estimate with Christie’s New York on the 5 February 2026, reports What’s The Jam.

A Specialist in Christie’s Old Master Drawings Department, Giada Damen, said: “This newly identified drawing is the first unrecorded study for the Sistine ceiling ever to come to auction.

“It is one of only about 10 Michelangelo drawings known to be in private hands.

“Of the roughly 600 sheets by Michelangelo that survive today – only a fraction of the thousands of drawings he must have produced – this is one of just around 50 studies relating to the Sistine Chapel.”

Andrew Fletcher, Global Head of Christie’s Old Masters Department, said: “The discovery of a study relating to the Sistine Chapel, a work of art that is arguably the keystone of the Italian Renaissance, has been one of the most memorable moments of my career.

“It is the kind of story that inspires both the academic and commercial art worlds, while also capturing the imagination of virtually anyone who encounters it, regardless of their background in art.”

Christie’s will offer the sketch during their live auction of ‘Old Master Drawings’.

The drawing will be on view in Christie’s free, open-to-the-public galleries at 20 Rockefeller Center, New York, in February, prior to the sale.

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