Lot 75
  • 75

Giacomo Ceruti

Estimate
150,000 - 250,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Giacomo Ceruti
  • A young lady with two dogs
  • oil on canvas, in an 18th century Italian frame

Condition

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting seems to have an old lining on the reverse which is slightly uneven in color. This suggests that it may have been treated more recently than when the lining was applied. The painting has been recently restored and should be hung in its current condition. The retouches are extremely focused and accurate. The painting certainly looks well. The paint layer is fairly textured due to the weave of the canvas. A lot of the retouches have been added in the lighter colors to suppress slight texture from the canvas, some cracking and very minor paint loss. The only area where a real concentration of retouches has been added is around the mouth and in the lower cheek on the right side of the face. However, the restoration is certainly a credit to the picture, which looks well as a result.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

Catalogue Note

Best known for his paintings of beggars and peasants, Ceruti produced some of the most insightful and naturalistic figurative painting of his age, applying the same sharp and observant eye to his upper class sitters as when depicting the common folk of his genre pictures, or idealized images of young ladies.  The present work is typical of the latter type, with the engaging yet soft glance of the elegant young lady so masterfully executed as she holds on protectively to her small dog. As this image so characteristically demonstrates, Ceruti depicted his half-length figures in a way which highlighted both the subtleties of the sitter’s psychological character, while also providing a highly refined and realistic sense of the subject. The stark background against which the lady stands only heightens this stark sense of realism, which is even further enhanced by Ceruti's ability to crisply render fabrics, drapery, and skin.