A previously unknown sketch by Michelangelo sold for a staggering $23 million (£16.9 million) at Christie’s auction house. Experts identified it as a study of the Libyan Sibyl, a figure Michelangelo painted on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. The drawing was initially underestimated at just over $1 million but sparked a fierce bidding war. The anonymous owner, from the US West Coast, inherited the drawing from his grandmother. His family had held it in Europe since the late 1700s. Andrew Fletcher, Christie’s global head of Old Masters Department, called it “one of the most memorable moments” of his career. Giada Damen, a Christie’s specialist, used infrared reflectography to discover more sketches on the back of the sheet. These also resembled Michelangelo’s style. Christie’s noted that many of Michelangelo’s sketches have been lost or destroyed over time. Only two other known sketches of the Libyan Sibyl exist, held by the Ashmolean Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In total, about 50 studies linked to the Sistine Chapel survive, and none had been auctioned before. The drawing carries Michelangelo’s name in handwriting matching a known example. After months of research, experts agreed unanimously that Michelangelo created the sketch. This drawing is now the most expensive Michelangelo artwork sold at auction, marking a rare and exciting discovery for the art world.