Lot 408: Paul Thumann (German, 1834-1908)

Paul Thumann (German, 1834-1908)
The murder of David Rizzio
signed, inscribed and dated 'Paul Thumann Dresden 1860' (lower left)
oil on canvas
107 x 142 cm.

The property of Fürst zu Stolberg-Wernigerode, Schloss Wernigerode
(lots 407-447)
Christie’s charges a premium to the buyer on the Hammer Price of each lot sold at the following rates: 29.75% of the Hammer Price of each lot up to and including €20,000, plus 23.8% of the Hammer Price between €20,001 and €800.000, plus 14.28% of any amount in excess of €800.000. Buyer’s premium is calculated on the basis of each lot individually.
David Rizzio (1533-1566) was an Italian courtier who rose to become the private secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots. It was said that the husband of Mary, Henry Stuart, was very jealous of their friendship and that he joined in a conspiracy of Protestant nobles to murder David Rizzio.
The rebels overtook the royal guards at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and burst into the Queen's private dining room. Here they demanded, in the presence of the pregnant Queen Mary, that Rizzio would be handed over to them. Mary refused and tried to protect him, but to no avail, David Rizzio was not much later stabbed to death.