Sotheby's is launching its inaugural Old Masters Week at its new Breuer building location in New York with a special exhibition of works heading to auction. The centerpiece is the 'cimasa' (top panel) of Pietro Perugino's 'Decemviri Altarpiece' (1495), on an exceptional loan from Italy's National Gallery of Umbria and traveling outside Italy for the first time. After its display at Sotheby's, the panel will be exhibited at the Morgan Library and Museum alongside Giovanni Bellini's newly restored 'Pietà' (c. 1470), which is also making its U.S. debut.
This event is significant as it marks a rare transatlantic journey for a key Renaissance masterpiece, facilitating a unique public viewing opportunity before the works go to auction. The exhibition also highlights the collaborative efforts between a major auction house and public museums, bringing historically separated artworks into dialogue for audiences in New York. The Perugino panel's travel represents a notable act of cultural diplomacy and access from its home institution.