Giovanni Battista Cimaroli

Lady Samuel of Wych Cross;
By whose Estate sold, London, Sotheby's, 3 December 2008, lot 54, for £75,000, where acquired by the present owner.

H. Voss, "Giovanni Francesco Costa als Maler", in Studi di storia dell'arte in onore di Antonio Morassi, Venice 1971, p. 355, reproduced figs. 5 and 6, as Gianfranco Costa;
F. Spadotto, Giovan Battista Cimaroli, Rovigo 2011, pp. 190-91, cat. nos. 56 and 56a, both reproduced.

The paintings are richer in colour and fresher in tone than the catalogue illustrations suggest. Both canvases have been sympathetically lined and as a result both pictures retain a nice buttery impasto in terms of texture. The paint surface of the first (as illustrated at the top of the page in the catalogue) is in very good overall condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint. Examination under ultraviolet reveals scattered cosmetic retouching in the sky and associated strengthening to the clouds. There is a very small restored area of damage in the sky centre right measuring approx. 1 in., parallel to the right most mountain range. There are also scattered minor cosmetic flecks of retouching to the foreground and middleground but by in large the principle parts of the painting remain untouched and in good original condition. The paint surface of the second (as illustrated at the bottom of the page in the catalogue) is likewise in very good condition with no apparent damage or loss of paint. There are likewise scattered retouchings to the sky i.e. the base of the central cloud and there are some very minor scattered retouchings through the foreground. Overall both paintings are in very good condition. Offered in matching decorative gilt wood and plaster frames in good 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."

After arriving in Venice in 1713 Cimaroli quickly found great success. British patrons in particular responded enthusiastically to his work, and a large number of paintings were sent back to the British Isles through the mediation of that indefatigable agent Consul Joseph Smith. We can assume that this charming pair was most likely amongst the works sent back to Britain shortly after they were painted as they were part of a distinguished English collection until they were sold in these Rooms in 2008 (see Provenance).

The lovely condition of the paintings allows us to fully appreciate Cimaroli's Rococò interpretation of landscape. The soft lighting that bathes the scene complements the pastel colours which dominate the colour orchestration, from the scattered pinks in the elegant clothes to the turquoise mountains in the distance. The inclusion of villages in the background - characteristically portrayed with more precision than the rest of the painting - is one of the artist's idiosyncracies.