- 184
After Tiziano Vecellio, called Titian 18th century
Description
- A rare set of 24 portraits of Roman emperors and their consorts, in classical poses, dressed in armour and draped clothing, together with the personification of Rome
- all polychrome paint and gold on grey marble
- each painting 41 x 32cm
- frames 147 x 53 cm
Provenance
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."
Catalogue Note
The pairs of emperors with their wives are named as follows: C. Julius Caesar with Calpurnia Julii Caesar; D. Oct. Augustus with Livia Drusilia D. Oct. Augustiux; Dr. Claudius Caesar with Agrippina Claudii Uxor; Nero Claudius Caesar with Statilia Messalina Claudii Neron Ux; Tiberius Caesar with Julia Tiberii Uxor; C. Caesar Caligula with Caesonia Caesar Caligulae Uxor; D. Titus Vespasianus with Martia Fulvia Titi Vespasian Uxor; Flavius Domitianus with Domitia Longina Domitiani Uxor; Aullus Vitellius IX with Petronia Vitellii Prima Uxor IX: D. Vespasianus Augustus with Flavia Domicilla Vespasiani Uxor; and Sergius Balba with Lepida Sergii Galbae Uxor. One pair shows emperor Marcus Silvius Otho with his mother Alba Terentia Othonis Mater.
Titian's original series was painted around 1537-38 for Duke Federigo Gonzaga of Mantua. In 1627-28 the set was sold by the Mantuan government to Charles I of England. They then entered a collection in Spain, were destroyed there in a fire in 1734, and are now known only from Aegidius and Marcus Sadeler's etchings. The Sadelers were a family of Flemish engravers, publishers and print sellers who were active throughout Europe for three generations. They played a dominant role in European graphic art, producing a wide range of high quality work. Although the sources for Sadeler’s portraits of the empresses are lost, it has been proposed that he based them on works by Hans von Aachen (1552-1615) or Bartholomeus Spranger (1546-1611), who like Sadeler, were court artists to Emperor Rudolf II in Prague.
Portrait series showing Roman emperors and empresses were in high demand from the late 17th century onwards, mainly due to the increasing popularity of the ‘Grand Tour’. Of note in this set is the use of marble as a support, which is unusual and seems to have been intended to emphasize the 'all antico' effect of the classical models. The style of these portraits with their opulent use of decorative details and gilding is comparable to the work of the Italian painter and engraver Angelo Guiducci (active in Rome and Austria, 1743 -1779).
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Please note that 5 out of the total 25 panels which constitute this lot will be available for viewing by prospective buyers at Sotheby’s New Bond Street premises. The remaining 20 panels will remain in their current location outside the United Kingdom where they will be available for viewing by prospective buyers by appointment with Sotheby’s, and for collection by the successful buyer following the sale of the lot. High resolution images of all the panels are available on Sotheby’s website, sothebys.com. Should you have any queries regarding the sale of this lot please contact Catherine Lynn, Sale Administrator (Catherine.Lynn@sothebys.com or +44 (0) 20 7293 5473).
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