L11037

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Lot 154
  • 154

Giacomo Legi

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Giacomo Legi
  • A lady selling fruit, including figs, lemons and grapes
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

Château de Villandry, France.

Condition

The canvas has a recent relining which has somewhat flattened the paint surface which is otherwise in good condition with some remaining impasto in places such as the fruit lower left. Some retouching work along the lines of old damage or frame abrasion is notable along the left hand margin and this is confirmed under UV light which also reveals scattered retouchings elsewhere most notably in the darks surrounding the bunch of black grapes and in the background. The varnish is even and effective. Offered in a plain gilt wood frame in fair condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Although the upright format is unusual for the subject matter, Giacomo Legi made a career out of the depiction of single fruit, vegetable, game or fish salesmen and women such as this. Further similar works include those in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Orléans, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux and, perhaps most relevantly with the present painting in mind, in an anonymous private collection (see A. Orlando, 'Un fiammingo a Genova:documenti figurativi per Giacomo Legi', in Paragone, XLVI, series III, no. 4, November 1995, figs. 54, 55, and 58).