Antonio Bellucci Pieve di Soligo 1654 - 1726

The Dukes of Devonshire, Chatsworth, Derbyshire, probably since the first half of the 18th century;
Thence by descent until sold by order of The Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement, London, Christie's, 28 November 1975, lot 10 (as 'Sebastiano Ricci'), for 7,000 gns.

The colours are rather warmer and redder in tone than the catalogue illustration suggests. The painting has fairly recently been relined, cleaned and restored. The lining is still sound and the paint surface generally very well preserved, with some original impasto. The surface varnish is now discoloured. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals some scattered repairs: to the knee of Apollo(?) at left, to the drapes and left arm of Vulcan, to the bended knee of Mars and to the shadows under the drapery beneath Venus. There is a small repaired damaged of maybe 2 x 2 cm. in the bed beneath this. This lot is offered with a later gilt wood frame , with some minor damages. RCJ
"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."

This painting originally formed part of a group of four overdoors, of which at least two formed part of the decoration of the State Apartments at Chatsworth in Derbyshire in the 18th century. The present work, and another depicting the story of Danae were sold in 1975. Two others depicting The Triumph of Amphitrite and Latona and the Lycean fishermen remain at Chatsworth, where they are recorded in inventories from 1792 onwards. An attribution for the group has always proved elusive, and Sebastiano Ricci and Giuseppe Bazzani among others have also been suggested as candidates for their authorship in the past. The attribution to Bellucci has kindly been suggested by Prof. Lino Moretti, on the basis of photographs. According to George Vertue, Bellucci worked in England between 1716 and 1722, principally for James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos at Cannons. While there is no evidence that he worked either for the 3rd Earl of Burlington or the 2nd Duke of Devonshire, we are grateful to Charles Noble for pointing out that a Masanisa presenting his nuptial gift to Sophonisba by Bellucci now at Bolton Abbey, was formerly in the Great Dining Room at Devonshire House in London by 1761.

A closely related but smaller version, possibly a study for the present lot, is recorded by Paola Franchomme in the Gargiulo collection in Naples with an attribution to Paolo de Matteis (1662-1728).¹

1  Reproduced in the exhibition catalogue, Metamorfosi del Mito. Pittura barocca tra Napoli, Genova e Venezia, Genoa, Palazzo Ducale and Salerno, Pinacoteca Provinciale, 2003, p. 97.