L12309

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Lot 193
  • 193

A Capodimonte group of an artist and model ("Il Ritratto"), modelled by G. Gricci, circa 1750

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 GBP
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Description

  • ceramic
  • 14.5cm, 5 3/4 in high
the lady standing and the artist seated at a table painting her portrait, she with gilt choker, in white and puce bonnet, long blue-edged white gown, puce-edged skirt and yellow shoes with gilt buckles, holding a fan and a rose, he with long loose wig, in white jacket with green rosettes, white shirt and stockings and black breeches and shoes with gilt buckles, seated on a stool, holding a tray and painting the portrait, which rests on an easel beside brushes and two paint pots, on a rectangular base (some restoration and chips)

Provenance

Christie's London, 7 October 1996, lot 257

Condition

some restoration to the top of his head, forehead, nose and chin, his right little finger restored, chip to base, slight chips to her right cuff and edge of dress
"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

Only one other example of this model would appear to be recorded, now in the de Ciccio collection at the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples, and illustrated in many publications, the most recent one being  N. Spinosa, Sovrane fragilità, Exhibition Catalogue, Milan, 2007, n.21.d.

The composition of these two figures groups, called "Il ritratto"( which belong to the series with everyday life subjects called " La vita domestica") is derived from two paintings by Pietro Longhi (see detail):
The artist, in his position, follows the identical didactic attitude of the teacher in the Lezione di geografia (fig. 2, Pinacoteca Querini Stampalia, Venezia ); while the lady who looks much more as though is derived from II concerto di famiglia, (fig. 1, Ca' Rezzonico, Venezia).

The pair to this group is " La scuola di ricamo", derived also from the composition of a painting by Pietro Longhi: " Il laboratorio di ricamo", (National Gallery, London).