- 76
Giovanni Battista Franco, called il Semolei
Estimate
4,500 - 6,000 GBP
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Description
- Giovanni Battista Franco, called il Semolei
- the battle of the centaurs and the lapiths
- Pen and brown ink and wash, made up at the upper corners
Provenance
Jonathon Richardson Senr. (L.2184), on his mount with attribution: Battista Franca and shelf mark: G.12/Q;
Jonathan Richardson Jr. (L.2997), with his inscription on the back of the mount: This Bas-releif [sic] is not any where printed that I know of; nor is the Story so well related in any other that I have seen, or any account of: I dont / find that the Ancients have ever represented the Zephyr; But this agrees exactly with Philostratus in his Picture of Phaeton. Lib. 1 Pict. 11./ JR jun.;
sale, New York, Christie's, 9 January 1991, lot 5
Jonathan Richardson Jr. (L.2997), with his inscription on the back of the mount: This Bas-releif [sic] is not any where printed that I know of; nor is the Story so well related in any other that I have seen, or any account of: I dont / find that the Ancients have ever represented the Zephyr; But this agrees exactly with Philostratus in his Picture of Phaeton. Lib. 1 Pict. 11./ JR jun.;
sale, New York, Christie's, 9 January 1991, lot 5
Condition
Laid down on the Richardson mount. The top left corner has been made up a bit and there is some damage along the left edge. The right hand corner is quite extensively made up, extending across the top towards the middle and down the right edge. Other small tears along edges. Light foxing and paper darkened overall.
Mount is very foxed around outer edge. It is also inscribed in another hand: Fight of ye Centaurs & ye Lapthae. and numbered 271
"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
This drawing is based on a 2nd-century Roman sarcophagus which in the 16th Century was in the della Valle Collection, but is now lost. It is recorded in various drawings.1 A similar Franco drawing based on groups from another sarcophagus is at Christ Church, Oxford.2
1. P.P. Bober and R. Rubinstein, Renaissance Artists and Antique Sculpture, Oxford 1986, p. 182, no. 146
2. J. Byam Shaw, Drawings by Old Masters at Christ Church Oxford, Oxford 1976, cat. no. 141, pl. 86