- 170
Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
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Description
- Gaspar van Wittel, called Vanvitelli
- A view of the Grotto at Pozzuoli with Virgil's tomb
- signed and dated on the rock lower right: GAS VAN / WITEL / 1705
- oil on canvas
Provenance
Art market, Rome;
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 14 December 1979, lot 141, for £9,500;
With Galerie Wartensleben, Geneva;
From whom acquired by the present owner.
Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 14 December 1979, lot 141, for £9,500;
With Galerie Wartensleben, Geneva;
From whom acquired by the present owner.
Literature
G. Briganti, Gaspar van Wittel, L. Laureati and L. Trezzani (eds), Milan 1996, p. 273, no. 382, reproduced in black and white.
Condition
The canvas has been relined. The paint surface is clean and the varnish is clear. Ultra violet inspection reveals an even varnish and extensive retouching throughout the sky. There is some strengthening in the uppermost building, and in the trees. There is more retouching in the rocks towards the right hand margin and in the centre of the image. There is a restored horizontal line, roughly 15 cm from the bottom, running 40 cm across the canvas. There is some further old restoration in the foreground by the lower margin. The work is offered in a carved and gilt wood frame 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."
"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
Published for the first time in 1996, in the revised edition of Briganti's monograph, where it is singled out for the particularly high quality of both the landscape and the figures, this view is signed and dated 1705. It is among the earliest painted by Van Wittel of this celebrated site.