Despite being locked down at home in a Chicago suburb because of Covid-19, Baird Allis could not resist bidding at Sotheby’s April online auction of Old Dutch Master paintings.

The 40-year-old corporate lawyer followed the auction on his smartphone while juggling work conference calls and eventually prevailed in the bidding for a landscape by Gillis Claesz. de Hondecoeter dated 1627. The oval-shaped painting depicting cows and sheep resting in a pasture now hangs near his desk.    

“It cost less than ￡10,000 with the commissions and fees, and makes me smile when I look at it,” said Mr Allis, who began collecting Dutch masters with his father 20 years ago. “Obviously these are sobering times, but we’re lucky enough to be able to continue to buy if we see something we like.”