Renaissance painting sells for half a million pounds in Banbury

The painting was purchased by a private collector, whose identity remains undisclosed, and taken to a fine art conservator.

Perugino was one of the most influential artists of the Italian Renaissance. In his early life he was considered to be equal to Leonardo da Vinci, and was commissioned to paint the walls of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Palace in Rome.

“The longer you looked, the more you realised the quality of the workmanship and the elegance of the Renaissance detailing,” added Mr Smith.

“When the hammer fell, there was a hush — then applause.”

The sale set a new record for JS Fine Art, whose previous house record was £265,000.