Mattia Preti ( 1613 - 1699 ) was an Italian painter. Mattia Preti s works have been put up for auction numerous times, with realized prices surpassing estimated prices, varying from 72000 USD for SAINT LUKE PAINTING THE VIRGIN in 2003 to a remarkable record 2169000 USD for DAVID PLAYING THE HARP BEFORE SAUL in 2008 , based on the size and medium of the artwork.