Michelangelo's 5-Inch Drawing of a Foot Sells for $27.2M at Auction, Setting New Record

People ^ | February 6, 2026 | Abigail Adams

[SunkenCiv]

A newly rediscovered drawing of a foot created by Michelangelo has just been auctioned off, fetching an eight-figure price tag and setting a record.

The five-inch chalk drawing of the Libyan Sibyl's foot sold for $27.2 million on Thursday, Feb. 5, according to world-famous auction house Christie's.

The subject of the drawing, which shows a foot with its heel off the ground, appears on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, which was painted from 1508 to 1512, the auction house said.

This drawing now sets the record for the most spent at auction for a piece of Michelangelo artwork, topping the $24.3 million spent in 2022 for a drawing of a nude man, which Christie's also sold, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Christie's said this is the only Michelangelo drawing connected to the Sistine Chapel ceiling to come to auction that was previously "in private hands."

[BitWielder1]

As long as I don't have to foot the bill...

[shelterguy]

I wish I had known about this auction. Discover card just upped my credit limit and I always wanted to collect art and stuff. Think of the bonus bucks I would have earned.

[dfwgator]

“I sense great vulnerability. A man-child crying out for love. An innocent orphan in the post-modern world.”

“I see a parasite. A sexually depraved miscreant who is seeking only to gratify his basest and most immediate urges.”

“His struggle is man's struggle. He lifts my spirit.”

“He is a loathsome, offensive brute. Yet I can’t look away.”

“He transcends time and space.”

“He sickens me.”

“I love it.”

“Me too.”

[Dr. Sivana]

Twenty-seven million dollars for a 5-inch foot. Inflation is getting worse.

Yes, but it would still do better at qb for the Browns than DeShawn Watson did, and for a lot less money.

[Veto!]

Someone had to say that and you finally did.

You win today’s Captain Obvious award.

[21twelve]

I thought the price was high until I saw the words “Sistine Chapel”. About $5 M per square inch. Manhattan condos are cheaper!

[higgmeister]

She’s as Beautiful as a Foot

My Explorer Post Advisor liked to say, "cuter than a bug's hind leg."   RIP, Larry.

[yldstrk]

These people are crazy.

[Albion Wilde]

It’s beautiful, sensual. That is a true artist — just a few strokes and you see it.

[buridan]

“Yes, but it would still do better at qb for the Browns than DeShawn Watson did, and for a lot less money.”

It’s obviously skilled at football and is clearly making a touchdown in the illustration above.

[telescope115]

Monty Python classic!

[telescope115]

I loved that show, and that scene- well, that was almost a Depends moment!

[telescope115]

Overall, I think the Delphic Sybil is prettier. She has beautiful eyes.

Michaelangelo’s talent was indeed a gift from God.

[dfwgator]

....and did those feet, in ancient time....."

[Salamander]

Didn’t believe it when he bit into her face

( gotta say it’s one of their more bizarre songs)

[Salamander]

I feel like this should be a kink-shaming thread

😳

[Vaduz]

Bet the smoke was coming off that fishing reel fast.