In an increasingly dynamic art market, ancient art has never ceased to occupy a primary role, establishing itself as one of the most favored categories among collectors today. Investing in old mater paintings remains a timeless choice—and a clever one; their historical and artistic value often surpasses their economic worth, as they represent not only an opportunity for portfolio diversification but also a tangible link to the history and culture of humanity. Therefore, it is not merely about financial investment or a targeted and informed purchase—old master paintings are, above all, pleasure assets, objects whose mere possession only is able to offer unique emotions to collectors.
The Department, led by Luca Bortolotti, organises auctions of ancient art, with catalogues that include paintings, sculptures, drawings, and applied arts from a period ranging from the 14th century to the first half of the 19th century. The Department’s primary goal is the study, cataloguing, valuation and placement on the market, through our auctions or through private sales, of rare, or extraordinary old master paintings, sculptures, and drawings of historical and artistic significance.
Private sales, in particular, are reserved for ancient art of high artistic and economic value and works of historical interest. The Department specialises in auctions of old master paintings, sculptures, and drawings, masterpieces by the greatest masters, and works from various regional schools. Each artwork that is included in our old master auction catalogues is carefully selected by our experts following thorough analyses, ensuring that the catalogues are diverse and of high quality, where every collector can find works of art to love and appreciate.
The Department's experts are available to assist those wishing to sell old master paintings and other artworks from the 14th century to the mid-19th century through our auctions. Our valuation process is designed to maximize the value of each painting or artwork through meticulous analysis and strategic placement within our auction catalog—both chronologically and contextually.
The Old Master Department is also dedicated to creating expertise on old paintings, sculptures, and prints from the relevant periods, as well as the design and production of cultural events and temporary exhibitions in partnership with public institutions and private entities. At the Bertolami Auction House, a selection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and applied artworks from various price ranges is always available for purchase outside of the auction. All lots with an estimate of €1.500 or higher are verified through the Art Loss Register database.
Art historian and university lecturer with teaching experience at Ca' Foscari University in Venice, University of Rome Tor Vergata, University of Rome La Sapienza, and LUISS Business School in Rome, Luca Bortolotti is a specialist in the ancient art market, a competence put to use working since 2007 as an expert on old paintings for major Italian and foreign auction houses. His studies mainly focus on 16th- and 17th-century painting, genre painting, theory of criticism, and historiographical methodology. Among his publications: La natura morta. Storia, artisti, opere, Florence 2003; Tempo visualizzato; Movimento, azione e racconto nella rappresentazione classica, in “En blanc et noir,” Rome 2008; Ma è del Seicento! Vincoli autoriali, qualitativi, culturali: fisiologia e paradossi del mercato (e del valore) dell’arte antica, in “Vincoli,” Milan 2009; L’esperienza dell’arte visiva. Gli spazi (mentali) dell’attenzione, dell’interazione e dell’apprezzamento nel confronto coi testi figurativi, in “Spazio fisico, spazio vissuto,” edited by M. Di Monte and M. Rotili, Milan 2010, pp. 99-122; Le mostre d’arte come esperienza e come discorso critico, in “Cose,” edited by M. Rotili and M. Tedeschini, Mimesis, Milan 2013, pp. 57-68.
The Department, led by Luca Bortolotti, organises auctions of ancient art, with catalogues that include paintings, sculptures, drawings, and applied arts from a period ranging from the 14th century to the first half of the 19th century. The Department’s primary goal is the study, cataloguing, valuation and placement on the market, through our auctions or through private sales, of rare, or extraordinary old master paintings, sculptures, and drawings of historical and artistic significance.
Private sales, in particular, are reserved for ancient art of high artistic and economic value and works of historical interest. The Department specialises in auctions of old master paintings, sculptures, and drawings, masterpieces by the greatest masters, and works from various regional schools. Each artwork that is included in our old master auction catalogues is carefully selected by our experts following thorough analyses, ensuring that the catalogues are diverse and of high quality, where every collector can find works of art to love and appreciate.
The Department's experts are available to assist those wishing to sell old master paintings and other artworks from the 14th century to the mid-19th century through our auctions. Our valuation process is designed to maximize the value of each painting or artwork through meticulous analysis and strategic placement within our auction catalog—both chronologically and contextually.
The Old Master Department is also dedicated to creating expertise on old paintings, sculptures, and prints from the relevant periods, as well as the design and production of cultural events and temporary exhibitions in partnership with public institutions and private entities. At the Bertolami Auction House, a selection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and applied artworks from various price ranges is always available for purchase outside of the auction. All lots with an estimate of €1.500 or higher are verified through the Art Loss Register database.
Art historian and university lecturer with teaching experience at Ca' Foscari University in Venice, University of Rome Tor Vergata, University of Rome La Sapienza, and LUISS Business School in Rome, Luca Bortolotti is a specialist in the ancient art market, a competence put to use working since 2007 as an expert on old paintings for major Italian and foreign auction houses. His studies mainly focus on 16th- and 17th-century painting, genre painting, theory of criticism, and historiographical methodology. Among his publications: La natura morta. Storia, artisti, opere, Florence 2003; Tempo visualizzato; Movimento, azione e racconto nella rappresentazione classica, in “En blanc et noir,” Rome 2008; Ma è del Seicento! Vincoli autoriali, qualitativi, culturali: fisiologia e paradossi del mercato (e del valore) dell’arte antica, in “Vincoli,” Milan 2009; L’esperienza dell’arte visiva. Gli spazi (mentali) dell’attenzione, dell’interazione e dell’apprezzamento nel confronto coi testi figurativi, in “Spazio fisico, spazio vissuto,” edited by M. Di Monte and M. Rotili, Milan 2010, pp. 99-122; Le mostre d’arte come esperienza e come discorso critico, in “Cose,” edited by M. Rotili and M. Tedeschini, Mimesis, Milan 2013, pp. 57-68.
Staff