Lot 349
  • 349

Follower of Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli
  • Rome, a view of Piazza San Giovanni Laterano with figures and horse-drawn carts
  • oil on canvas

Provenance

Probably acquired by Johann Babtist Count Brandis (1751 - 1812) or brought into the Brandis family by his wife Josepha Countess von Trauttmansdorff (1760 - 1826);
Thence by descent.

Catalogue Note

The composition repeats that of Vanvitelli's painting in the Crediop collection, Rome, though the staffage and dimensions of the two paintings are slightly different.Three other versions are known, all of which are painted on canvas and only one of which is dated (1718): one is in the Colonna collection, Rome (inv. 514; 49 by 98 cm.); another in a private collection, Rome (unknown dimensions); and the third formerly in the Canessa collection, Rome (39 by 66 cm; signed and dated 1718).2 The style of this painting appears to have more in common with that of the young Gian Paolo Panini, than Vanvitelli himself. 

The view is taken from the Ospedale di San Giovanni, built by Pope Urban VIII in 1636, and looks towards the Palazzo Lateranense (in the centre). The fountain at the base of the obelisk was built between 1603 and 1607: it bears the fleur-de-lys of Pope Leo XI (1605). This, along with the statue of Saint John were removed in the 19th century. At the far right of the composition is the Baptistery which still looks very much as it does in this painting. In the distance is the building housing the 'Scala Sancta', the steps that led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus Christ is said to have stood on during his Passion.

1.  50 by 98.5 cm.; see G. Briganti, eds. L. Laureati & L. Trezzani, Gaspar van Wittel, Milan 1996, p. 165, cat. no. 89, reproduced.
2. Briganti, op. cit., cat. nos. 86-88, all reproduced.