The article reports on the best-selling Old Master paintings at auction in 2025, highlighting Canaletto's *Venice, the Return of the Bucintoro on Ascension Day*, which sold for $43.8 million at Christie's—three times the next-highest Old Master price. Other notable sales include a $7.55 million triptych of Jesus performing miracles by an unknown 15th-century artist, noted for its exceptional condition and quality.
This analysis matters because it reveals shifting dynamics in the Old Master market, where rare, pristine works with strong provenance can attract ultra-wealthy buyers beyond traditional collectors. The data, part of the Artnet Intelligence Report, provides a benchmark for understanding how condition, subject matter, and historical significance drive value in a segment often overshadowed by contemporary art.