Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli

Private collection, Spain.

The painting is more richer in colour and more yellow in the sky than the catalogue illustration would suggest. The canvas has been relined and the paint surface appears to be in good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint except for minor losses in the lower right and along the lower canvas edge which corresponds to frame abrasion. There is also evidence of a discoloured yellow varnish overall. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals extensive scattered retouching throughout the sky, as well as retouching to what appear to be four old areas of damage in the sky in the centre and upper left. The first is a vertical line running down from the centre of the upper canvas edge for approx. The second area is below it and slightly to the left and appears to be strengthening to a small cloud. The third area is a horizontal area of damage in the upper left that extends along the line of the upper stretcher bar for approx. 22cm. Finally there is further area of intermittent vertical retouching running through the sun set which runs through the sky parallel to the outermost edge of the left hand building for approx. 22 cm. Elsewhere there is minor scattered retouching to the canvas edges lower left and lower right and through foreground. There is also evidence of older minor retouching in the water. Offered in an ornate gilt wood, brown and red painted frame with very minor losses.
"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."

This appears to be a late work by Vanvitelli and depicts Villa Martinelli at Posillipo, on the northern coast of the Gulf of Naples.

It is the only known version of this particular scene by Vanvitelli, although he painted another view of Villa Martinelli taken from the promontory seen on the far side of the villa in the present work, just below the cluster of trees, which is today in the Prado Museum, Madrid.¹ That painting provides us with a view of the exact point from which the present work is taken, though an element of artistic licence is at play in the latter; Vanvitelli has extended the length and exaggerated the curve of the small bay in order to accommodate both the ruins on the left, and the villa itself, at each margin of the painting. In reality the villa sits on the beach at a point nearer the ruins, behind the group of figures seated here in the foreground, outside the framing of the picture. Such licence however allows for the impressive continuation of the coastline towards several other equally extravagant waterfront dwellings.

1.  Oil on canvas, 32 by 27 cm., see G. Briganti, L. Laureati & L. Trezzani eds., Gaspar van Wittel, Milan 1996, pp. 275-6, cat. no. 394, reproduced.