Old Masters are fighting back

As contemporary art dominates auctions, headlines, and museum shows, a $30M+ Canaletto returning to Christie’s reminds us that historical genius still commands modern attention, but also serious capital.
In a market driven by novelty, the resurgence of artists like Canaletto, whose Venice, the Bucintoro at the Molo on Ascension Day (1754) leads Christie’s Old Masters sale this February, represents a renewed interest in craftsmanship, historical resonance, and timeless value.
Perhaps collectors are rediscovering what the Old Masters offer that contemporary art can’t always guarantee.