Jan Frans van Bloemen, called l'Orizzonte

Andrea Busiri Vici collection, Rome.

A. Busiri Vici, Jan Frans van Bloemen, 'Orizzonte', Rome 1974, cat. no. 71, reproduced.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The original canvas is un-lined. There is a patched and restored damage , top centre, and the paint surface is raised and unstable. With a loss of tension to the canvas stretcher marks have appeared. There has been little intervention and the painting is in a good original condition. The removal of the degraded and discoloured varnish would enhance the tonality. In plain moulded gilt frame."
"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."

The sketchy, almost impressionistic, brushwork of this small landscape is typical of Van Bloemen's late style. Busiri Vici, in whose collection this painting once was, suggested that it might even be a bozzetto for the larger signed work in the Accademia di San Luca, Rome (for which see Busiri Vici, under Literature, cat. no. 316, reproduced). Although the overall design and distant view with the Colosseum are similar, the figures in each work are differently arranged.